An action or proceeding under this article may be commenced whenever any owner or any person acting as a director, officer, agent, or employee of any owner, or any contractor or agent or employee of such contractor is:
(a) Failing or omitting or about to fail or omit to do anything required of him by this part or by any approval, order, rule, regulation, or requirement of the department under the authority of this part; or
(b) Doing or permitting anything or about to do or permit anything to be done in violation of or contrary to this part or any approval, order, rule, regulation, or requirement of the department under this part.