Sec. 84.007. INVESTIGATIONS

(a) The department shall investigate the causes of occupational conditions and methods of prevention.

(b) In performing the commissioner's duty to prevent an occupational condition, the commissioner or the commissioner's designee may enter at reasonable times and inspect within reasonable limits all or any part of an area, structure, or conveyance, regardless of ownership, that is not used for private residential purposes.

(c) Persons authorized to conduct investigations under this section may take samples of materials present on the premises, including samples of soil, water, air, unprocessed or processed foodstuffs, manufactured items of clothing, and household goods. If samples are taken, a corresponding sample shall be offered to the person in control of the premises for independent analysis.

(d) Persons securing the required samples may reimburse or offer to reimburse the owner for the materials taken, but the reimbursement may not exceed the actual monetary loss sustained by the owner.

Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 678, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 245, Sec. 6, eff. May 23, 1997.