(a) The purpose of the Simplified Proceedings subpart is to provide simplified procedures for resolving contests under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, so that parties before the Commission may reduce the time and expense of litigation while being assured due process and a hearing that meets the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 554. These procedural rules will be applied to accomplish this purpose.

(b) Procedures under this subpart are simplified in a number of ways. The major differences between these procedures and those provided in subparts A through G of the Commission's rules of procedure are as follows.

(1) Complaints and answers are not required.

(2) Pleadings generally are not required. Early discussions among the parties and the Judge are required to narrow and define the disputes between the parties.

(3) The Secretary is required to provide the employer with certain informational documents early in the proceeding.

(4) Discovery is not permitted except as ordered by the Judge.

(5) Interlocutory appeals are not permitted.

(6) Hearings are less formal. The admission of evidence is not controlled by the Federal Rules of Evidence except as provided for in § 2200.209(c). The Judge may allow the parties to argue their case orally at the conclusion of the hearing, and may allow or require post-hearing briefs or statements of position. The judge may render a decision from the bench.

The rules in this subpart will govern proceedings before a Judge in a case chosen for Simplified Proceedings under § 2200.203.

(a) Those cases selected for Simplified Proceedings will be those that do not involve complex issues of law or fact. Cases appropriate for Simplified Proceedings will generally include those with one or more of the following characteristics:

(1) Relatively few citation items,

(2) An aggregate proposed penalty of not more than $20,000,

(3) No allegation of willfulness or a repeat violation,

(4) Not involving a fatality,

(5) A hearing that is expected to take less than 2 days, or

(6) A small employer whether self-represented or represented by counsel.

(b) Those cases with an aggregate proposed penalty of more than $20,000, but not more than $30,000, if otherwise appropriate, may be selected for Simplified Proceedings at the discretion of the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

(a) Selection. Upon receipt of a Notice of Contest, the Chief Administrative Law Judge may, at the Chief Administrative Law Judge's discretion, assign an appropriate case for Simplified Proceedings.

(b) Party request. Within 21 days of the notice of docketing, any party may request that the case be assigned for Simplified Proceedings. The request must be in writing. For example, “I request Simplified Proceedings” will suffice. The request must be sent to the Executive Secretary. Copies must be sent to each of the other parties.

(c) Judge's ruling on request. The Chief Administrative Law Judge or the Judge assigned to the case may grant a party's request and assign a case for Simplified Proceedings at the Judge's discretion. Such request shall be acted upon within 14 days of its receipt by the Judge.

(d) Time for filing complaint or answer under § 2200.34. If a party has requested Simplified Proceedings or the Judge has assigned the case for Simplified Proceedings, the times for filing a complaint or answer will not run. If a request for Simplified Proceedings is denied, the period for filing a complaint or answer will begin to run upon issuance of the notice denying Simplified Proceedings.

(a) Procedure. If it becomes apparent at any time that a case is not appropriate for Simplified Proceedings, the Judge assigned to the case may, upon motion by any party or upon the Judge's own motion, discontinue Simplified Proceedings and order the case to continue under conventional rules. Before discontinuing Simplified Proceedings, the Judge will consult with the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

(b) Party motion. At any time during the proceedings any party may request that Simplified Proceedings be discontinued and that the matter continue under conventional procedures. A motion to discontinue must conform to § 2200.40 and explain why the case is inappropriate for Simplified Proceedings. Responses to such motions shall be filed within the time specified by § 2200.40. Joint motions to return a case to conventional proceedings shall be granted by the Judge and do not require a showing of good cause, except that the Judge may deny such a motion that is filed less than 30 days before a scheduled hearing date.

(c) Ruling. If Simplified Proceedings are discontinued, the Judge may issue such orders as are necessary for an orderly continuation under conventional rules.

(a) Complaint and answer. Once a case is designated for Simplified Proceedings, the complaint and answer requirements are suspended. If the Secretary has filed a complaint under § 2200.34(a), a response to a petition under § 2200.37(d)(5), or a response to an employee contest under § 2200.38(a), and if Simplified Proceedings has been ordered, no response to these documents will be required.

(b) Motions. Limited, if any, motion practice is contemplated in Simplified Proceedings, but all motion practice shall conform with § 2200.40.

(a) Disclosure to employer. (1) Within 21 days after a case is designated for Simplified Proceedings, the Secretary shall provide the employer, free of charge, copies of the narrative (Form OSHA 1-A) and the worksheet (Form OSHA 1-B) or their equivalents.

(2) Within 30 days after a case is designated for Simplified Proceedings, the Secretary shall provide the employer with reproductions of any photographs or videotapes that the Secretary anticipates using at the hearing.

(3) Within 30 days after a case is designated for Simplified Proceedings, the Secretary shall provide to the employer any exculpatory evidence in the Secretary's possession.

(4) The Judge shall act expeditiously on any claim by the employer that the Secretary improperly withheld or redacted any portion of the documents, photographs, or videotapes on the grounds of confidentiality or privilege.

(b) Disclosure to the Secretary. When the employer raises an affirmative defense pursuant to § 2200.207(b), the Judge shall order the employer to disclose to the Secretary such documents relevant to the affirmative defense as the Judge deems appropriate.

(a) When held. As early as practicable after the employer has received the documents set forth in § 2200.206(a)(1), the Judge may conduct a pre-hearing conference, which the Judge may hold in person or by telephone or electronic means.

(b) Content. At the pre-hearing conference, the parties may discuss the following: Settlement of the case; the narrowing of issues; an agreed statement of issues and facts; all defenses; witnesses and exhibits; motions; and any other pertinent matter. Except under extraordinary circumstances, any affirmative defenses not raised at the pre-hearing conference may not be raised later. At the conclusion of the conference, the Judge will issue an order that may set forth any agreements reached by the parties and that may specify the issues to be addressed by the parties at the hearing.

Discovery, including requests for admissions, will only be allowed under the conditions and time limits set by the Judge.

(a) Procedures. As soon as practicable after the conclusion of the pre-hearing conference, the Judge will hold a hearing on any issue that remains in dispute. The hearing will be in accordance with subpart E of these rules, except for § 2200.73 which will not apply.

(b) Agreements. At the beginning of the hearing, the Judge will enter into the record all agreements reached by the parties as well as defenses raised during the pre-hearing conference. The parties and the Judge then will attempt to resolve or narrow the remaining issues. The Judge will enter into the record any further agreements reached by the parties.

(c) Evidence. Except as to matters that are protected by evidentiary privilege, the admission of evidence is not controlled by the Federal Rules of Evidence, but the Judge may accept a written stipulation of the parties that the Federal Rules of Evidence shall apply in whole or, as specified, in part. The Judge will receive oral, physical, or documentary evidence that is not irrelevant, unduly repetitious, or unreliable. Testimony will be given under oath or affirmation.

(d) Reporter. A reporter will be present at the hearing. An official verbatim transcript of the hearing will be prepared and filed with the Judge. Parties may purchase copies of the transcript from the reporter.

(e) Oral and written argument. Each party may present an oral argument at the close of the hearing. The Judge may allow or require post-hearing briefs or statements of position upon the request of either party or on the Judge's own motion. The form of any post-hearing briefs shall conform to § 2200.74 unless the Judge specifies otherwise.

(f) Judge's decision—(1) Bench decision. The Judge may render a decision from the bench. In rendering a decision from the bench, the Judge shall state the issues in the case and make clear both the Judge's findings of fact and conclusions of law on the record. The Judge shall reduce the bench decision in the matter to writing and serve it on the parties as soon as practicable, but no later than 45 days after the hearing. If additional time is needed, approval of the Chief Administrative Law Judge is required. The decision shall be prepared in accordance with § 2200.90(a). The written decision shall include, as an appendix, the bench decision as set forth in the transcript.

(2) Written decision. If the Judge does not render a decision from the bench, the Judge will issue a written decision within 60 days of the close of the record. The record will ordinarily be deemed closed upon the latter of the filing of the hearing transcript, or the completion of any permitted post-hearing briefing. The decision will be in accordance with § 2200.90(a). If additional time is needed, approval of the Chief Administrative Law Judge is required.

(g) Filing of Judge's decision with the Executive Secretary. When the Judge issues a written decision, service, filing, and docketing of the Judge's written decision shall be in accordance with § 2200.90.

Any party may petition for Commission review of the Judge's decision as provided in § 2200.91. After the issuance of the Judge's written decision, the parties may pursue the case following the rules in Subpart F of this part.

The provisions of subpart D (§§ 2200.50-2200.57) and §§ 2200.34, 2200.37(d), 2200.38, 2200.71, and 2200.73 will not apply to Simplified Proceedings. All other rules contained in subparts A through G of the Commission's rules of procedure will apply when consistent with the rules in this subpart governing Simplified Proceedings.