Employment / 1 min read
The U.S. Department of Labor announced a new proposed rule to broaden who may accompany Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) compliance officers during workplace inspections.
Under the proposed rule, employers may authorize an employee or a non-employee third party to accompany the OSHA compliance officer if the officer determines the third party is reasonably necessary to conduct an effective and thorough inspection. The third-party would need permission from the inspector, but not the employer.
The proposal sets out that these third parties would not need to be industrial hygienists or safety engineers. They could be deemed reasonably necessary because they have skills, knowledge or experience that may help inform the compliance officer's inspection.