Search

Can an Employer Refuse an OSHA Inspection?

Posted on 3/31/2025 by Lion Technology Inc.

A US District Court recently affirmed OSHA’s authority to enter workplaces for the purpose of conducting inspections and investigations, and ruled that OSHA may select workplaces for inspection at random or by using some types of "relevant statistics."

The court's decision came in response to a New Jersey employer who challenged OSHA's legal authority for conducting an inspection. Staff at the site refused entry to the OSHA officer, and the officer ultimately left the facility without performing the inspection. 

OSHA's enforcement office followed up with the company's legal counsel, but was not successful in gaining permission to inspect the facility. Next, OSHA applied for (and was granted) a warrant to "enter, inspect, and investigate" the facility. The employer then sought to quash the warrant, arguing that OSHA was exceeding its authority under the OSH Act and the US Constitution.

In ruling for OSHA in this case, the court writes: 

"Even in the wake of Loper Bright and the abrogation of deference to agency determinations, [the employer] cites no authority for the  Court  to  find  that Congress’s  directive to OSHA to promulgate  inspection  plans  under  29  U.S.C. §   657(g) is so ambiguous that this Court could find that SST-23 exceeds OSHA’s authority."

Can an Employer Refuse an OSHA Inspection?

What Gives OSHA Authority to Inspect Workplaces?

The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 or OSH Act authorizes OSHA to enter workplaces and perform inspections or investigations. The law states that OSHA may: 
  • "Enter without delay and at reasonable times any factory, plant, establishment, construction site, or other area, workplace or environment where work is performed by an employee of an employer; and...

  • To inspect and investigate during regular working hours and at other reasonable times… any such place of employment and all pertinent conditions, structures, machines, apparatus, devices, equipment, and materials therein, and to question privately any such employer, owner, operator, agent, or employee."

29 USC §657(a)(1—2)

The law also says OSHA may prescribe rules and regulations, “…including rules and regulations dealing with the inspection of an employer’s establishment...” and that the agency may “compile, analyze, and publish” any information obtained during an investigation or inspection.
 

Self-paced, Online OSHA Health & Safety Training

Get online OSHA safety training that prepares workers to identify and protect themselves from workplace health and safety hazards, including many of OSHA's Top 10 Most Cited Standards.

Tags: osha, OSHA compliance

Find a Post

Compliance Archives

Lion - Quotes

I have been to other training companies, but Lion’s material is much better and easier to understand.

Mark Abell

Regional Manager

I tried other environmental training providers, but they were all sub-standard compared to Lion. I will not stray from Lion again!

Sara Sills

Environmental Specialist

Best course instructor I've ever had. Funny, relatable, engaging; made it interesting and challenged us as the professionals we are.

Amanda Schwartz

Environmental Coordinator

Lion's online training is more comprehensive, has better slides, and is a superior training experience than what I would get from other trainers.

Robert Brenner

District Environmental Manager

We have a very busy work schedule and using Lion enables us to take the course at our own time. It makes it easy for me to schedule my employees' training.

Timothy Mertes

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion does a great job summarizing and communicating complicated EH&S-related regulations.

Michele Irmen

Sr. Environmental Engineer

Lion is easily and consistently the best option for compliance training. I've learned new information from every instructor I've had.

Rachel Mathis

EHS Specialist

I can't say enough how pleased I was with this course! Everything finally makes sense.

Kim Graham

Lab Manager

The course was very informative and presented in a way that was easily understood and remembered. I would recommend this course.

Jeffrey Tierno

Hazmat Shipping Professional

I used the IT support number available and my issue was resolved within a few minutes. I don't see anything that could have made it better.

Danny Province

EHS Professional

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

Spot and correct 4 of the most common universal waste errors before they result in a notice of violation during a Federal or state inspection.

Latest Whitepaper

By submitting your phone number, you agree to receive recurring marketing and training text messages. Consent to receive text messages is not required for any purchases. Text STOP at any time to cancel. Message and data rates may apply. View our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy.