Congress has a history of doing things without knowing exactly what will be the consequences. The latest fiasco involves federal requirements for overtime pay. Most nonsupervisory employees in the country are covered by the general federal minimum pay requirements under the federal Fair Labor Standards Act. They must be paid an overtime premium when they work beyond the prescribed work week.

With a new maximum penalty of $ 220,000, MSHA has proposed significant changes to its penalty regulations. With proposals responding to the new MINER Act, MSHA states: "The proposed changes are intended to induce greater mine operator compliance thereby improving safety and health for miners." MSHA also refers to the "deterrent" effect of new penalties.

Investigations are very szerious business. When MSHA is conducting an investigation, for example, it is usually to determine whether there was a violation of law. In some case, it is to determine whether any manager or supervisor should be personally prosecuted for violations of law.

Our monthly law column.

Our monthly law column.

Our monthly law column.

Bill passes House, but its progress appears stalled – for now.

Our monthly law column.

Our monthly law column.