Issuance of citations

1. If, upon inspection or investigation, the Administrator or the Administrator’s authorized representative believes that an employer has violated a requirement of this chapter, or any standard, rule or order adopted or issued pursuant to this chapter, the Division shall with reasonable promptness issue a citation to the employer. Each citation must be in writing and describe with particularity the nature of the violation, including a reference to the section of this chapter or the provision of the standard, rule, regulation or order alleged to have been violated. In addition the citation must fix a reasonable time for the abatement of the violation. The Administrator may prescribe procedures for the issuance of a notice in lieu of a citation with respect to: (a) Minor violations which have no direct or immediate relationship to safety or health; and (b) Violations which are not serious and which the employer agrees to correct within a reasonable time. 2. Each citation issued under this section, or a copy or copies thereof, must be prominently posted as prescribed in regulations adopted by the Administrator at or near each place a violation referred to in the citation occurred. 3. No citation may be issued under this section after 6 months following the occurrence of any violation.