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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" citation="COMAR 09.12.20.07" title_num="09" subtitle_num="12" chapter_num="20" heading="Issuance of a Citation and Notice of De Minimis Violations.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>In this regulation, the following terms have the meanings indicated.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Terms Defined.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>“Controlling employer” means the employer who is responsible, by contract or through actual practice, for safety and health conditions on the worksite, whether or not its own employees are exposed, such as an employer who has the authority for ensuring that hazardous conditions are corrected.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>“Correcting employer” means the employer who has the responsibility for actually correcting the hazard, whether or not its own employees are exposed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>“Creating employer” means the employer who actually created the hazard through its action or inaction, whether or not its own employees are exposed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>“Exposing employer” means the employer whose employees are exposed to the hazard or have access to the hazard.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>After an inspection, the Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative shall review the inspector's inspection report.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>If, on the basis of the report, the Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative is of the opinion that the employer has violated a provision of the Act, or of a standard, regulation, or an order promulgated under the Act, the Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative shall issue to the employer either:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A citation; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>For a violation which has no direct or immediate relationship to safety or health, a notice of de minimis violations.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Issuance of Citations.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>On multiemployer worksites, more than one employer may be cited for a hazardous condition that violates a provision of the Act or of a standard, regulation, or order promulgated under the Act.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The following employers may be cited:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The exposing employer;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The creating employer;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The controlling employer; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>The correcting employer.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>An appropriate citation or notice of de minimis violations may be issued even if, after being informed of an alleged violation by the inspector, the employer immediately abates, or initiates steps to abate, the alleged violation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The citation shall note that the issuance of a citation is not a finding that a violation of the Act has occurred unless:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>There is a failure to contest as provided for in the Act; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If contested, the citation is affirmed by the Commissioner.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Complaint Inspections.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>After an inspection conducted in response to a request for inspection under Regulation .04A(1) of this chapter or a notification of violation under Regulation .04B of this chapter:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If a citation is issued, a copy of the citation or notice of de minimis violations shall be sent to the employee or employee representative who made the request; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>If a determination is made that a citation is not warranted with respect to a danger or violation alleged to exist, the Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative shall notify the complaining party and the employer in writing of the determination.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>When a determination is made that a citation is not warranted under §H(1)(b) of this regulation:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The informal review procedures in Regulation .04C(2)—(4) of this chapter are applicable;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>After considering all views presented in an informal review under Regulation .04C of this chapter, the Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative may:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Affirm the determination;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Order a reinspection; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Issue a citation if the Commissioner believes that the inspection disclosed a violation.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Commissioner or the Commissioner's authorized representative shall furnish the complaining party and the employer with written notification of the Commissioner's determination and the reason for it.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>The citation shall include any notice of proposed penalty.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>