The Protecting America's Workers Act strengthens workplace safety enforcement and employee protections under OSHA by expanding whistleblower safeguards, establishing clearer procedures for safety violations, and increasing penalties for non-compliance. The bill broadens protections for workers who report safety violations or refuse unsafe work, creates a detailed administrative complaint process requiring Labor Department investigation within 90 days, and mandates comprehensive remedies including reinstatement, back pay, and damages when violations occur. It also requires OSHA citations to include specific violation classifications, increases daily penalties to $7,000 for uncorrected serious violations, and allows interest to accrue on contested penalties. The law takes effect 90 days after enactment for most provisions, though states with existing occupational safety plans have up to 12 months (extendable to 24 months) to update their standards, and states without approved plans have 36 months to comply.
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