If a compliance officer notices a potential hazard but there is no existing regulation, under which provision can the contractor be cited?

The General Duty Clause is a key provision that allows regulatory agencies to cite employers for failing to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards, even in the absence of a specific regulation. Under this clause, an employer is required to keep their work environment safe and should take proactive measures to identify and mitigate hazards that could potentially cause harm to employees.

When a compliance officer identifies a potential hazard that is not covered by existing regulations, they can reference the General Duty Clause as the basis for a citation. The rationale here is that employers have a general responsibility to protect employees from known risks and to maintain a safe working environment.

The other options hint at more specific regulations or standards that do not apply in situations where no regulation exists for the hazard in question. For example, the Specific Duty Clause typically refers to particular standards that address certain safety measures, while the Safety and Health Standards Clause and Compliance Assurance Provision are more focused on established protocols and compliance with existing safety regulations. Thus, they would not be applicable when there is a recognized hazard without a corresponding regulation.