A bill that would create a new, duplicative workplace safety enforcement system in Colorado will be heard in the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee on Thursday, February 26.
House Bill 1054 would create a new state-level enforcement system for workplace health and safety violations on top of the federal OSHA system that already regulates workplace safety in Colorado. Under the bill, workplace safety complaints could be filed by state agencies, individual workers, whistleblowers, labor organizations and the attorney general. The bill would also allow lawsuits to be brought against employers and authorize courts to impose financial penalties and damages.
In addition, HB 1054 would give state lawmakers the authority to create new workplace safety rules or replace federal standards if they believe worker protections have been weakened at the federal level. As a result, employers could be subject to different or additional requirements beyond existing federal rules.
This approach creates a duplicative and overcomplicated enforcement system and increases litigation risk for businesses of all sizes. Employers would be forced to navigate conflicting state and federal requirements, driving up compliance costs for businesses across the state.
HB 1054 would create unnecessary complexity and cost without clear evidence that it would improve safety for workers.
Using the Chamber’s simple tool below, please tell members of the House Business Affairs and Labor Committee to OPPOSE HB 1054 when it is heard on February 26.
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