6. a. The commissioner shall provide for the adoption of all applicable occupational health and safety standards, amendments or changes adopted or recognized by the secretary under the authority of the “Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.” Whenever the United States Secretary of Labor adopts a standard pursuant to the provisions of the “Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970” (29 U.S.C. § 651 et seq.), the commissioner shall publish that federal standard in the New Jersey Register in accordance with the provisions of section 5 of P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-5) and, notwithstanding the provisions of section 4 of P.L.1968, c.410 (C. 52:14B-4), that federal standard shall be deemed to be duly adopted as a State regulation upon its publication by the commissioner.

b. The commissioner shall not adopt any standard within the scope of the State uniform construction code adopted pursuant to P.L.1975, c.217 (C. 52:27D-119 et seq.) or the uniform fire safety code adopted pursuant to P.L.1983, c.383 (C. 52:27D-192 et al.), unless the standard is a standard adopted pursuant to subsection a. of this section. If the Commissioner of Community Affairs determines that a standard for building or structural safety adopted by the commissioner pursuant to subsection a. of this section is more stringent than the applicable standards adopted into code pursuant to the State uniform construction code or the uniform fire safety code, he shall adopt a rule incorporating the more stringent standard into the relevant code. If the Commissioner of Community Affairs determines that there is a difference between a provision of any new or existing standard adopted pursuant to subsection a. of this section and a provision of the uniform construction code or the uniform fire safety code, and he determines that the provision of the code is as effective as the provision of the standard, he shall prepare and submit to the commissioner an application for submission to the Secretary of Labor seeking (1) the approval of that provision of the uniform construction code or the uniform fire safety code as being as effective as the provision of the standard and (2) the approval of the incorporation of the code provision into the State plan.

c. Where no federal standards are applicable or where standards more stringent than the federal standards are deemed advisable, the commissioner shall, in consultation with the Commissioner of Health and the Commissioner of Community Affairs and, with the advice of the advisory board, provide for the development of State standards as may be necessary in special circumstances.

d. The commissioner and the Commissioner of Health, or their designees, shall meet with the advisory board at each scheduled meeting for these purposes. The advisory board shall meet not less than four times each year.

e. The Commissioner of Health shall not adopt standards or issue orders to comply in any area but shall be charged with inspection, investigation and related activities in the following areas:

(1) Occupational health and environmental control;

(2) Medical and first aid;

(3) Toxic and hazardous substances;

(4) Respiratory protective equipment; and

(5) Sanitation.

The Commissioner of Labor shall be charged with inspection, investigation and related activities for all other regulated areas and with adopting of standards and issuing orders to comply in all regulated areas.

L.1983,c.516,s.6; amended 1995,c.186,s.2.