ARTICLE
OSHA has issued a final rule regarding the “Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process” which clarifies the rights of employees to authorize a “walk around” representative to accompany an OSHA inspector during an inspection of their workplace. The final rule clarifies that while a non-employee representative does not have to have formal credentials, they must have skills, knowledge, or experience in the workplace or a similar workplace. The rule, which went into effect May 31, does not provide employers with a formal process to object if they disagree with the employee-designated representative, leaving the OSHA Compliance Officer with the authority to resolve the objection. While new, the rule does not impose any new costs on employers and does not require action on behalf of the employer to comply. Click here to read the final rule.
OSHA has issued a final rule regarding the “Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process” which clarifies the rights of employees to authorize a “walk around” representative to accompany an OSHA inspector during an inspection of their workplace. The final rule clarifies that while a non-employee representative does not have to have formal credentials, they must have skills, knowledge, or experience in the workplace or a similar workplace.
The rule, which went into effect May 31, does not provide employers with a formal process to object if they disagree with the employee-designated representative, leaving the OSHA Compliance Officer with the authority to resolve the objection. While new, the rule does not impose any new costs on employers and does not require action on behalf of the employer to comply.
Click here to read the final rule.