OSHA Rescinds Inspection Interpretation for Non-Union Sites

Posted on 5/9/2017 by Roger Marks

As of April 27, 2017, OSHA has rescinded an interpretation letter issued in 2013 that allowed a non-employee who is “affiliated with a union” or with a “community organization” to accompany OSHA during walk-arounds at non-union worksites.

Under the interpretation, which was challenged in US District Court, employees at a non-union site could elect to have a union representative accompany OSHA inspectors during walk-arounds. This interpretation expanded on a prior interpretation of 29 CFR 1903.8(c) that allows for third parties (like an industrial hygienist or safety engineer) to accompany OSHA inspectors on facility walk-arounds.

In response to the lawsuit—and after the Agency’s request to dismiss the suit was denied—OSHA will rescind this interpretation and remove related guidance from its Field Operations Manual.

The now rescinded and archived interpretation letter is available on OSHA’s website here.

Effective Online OSHA Safety Training

Protect your employees with expertly designed, convenient OSHA training. Available 24/7, these interactive OSHA safety training courses help employees identify, mitigate, and avoid the hazards in your workplace. Employees who complete OSHA training at Lion.com are ready to make on-the-job decisions that keep themselves and their co-workers safe.

Popular OSHA Training Courses in 2017:

8 Hour HAZWOPER Refresher (Cleanup operations)
New! Lockout/Tagout Online
New! Confined Space Entry Awareness Online
GHS Hazard Communication (for Employees)
Managing GHS Hazard Communication (for Managers)
Lithium Battery Safety Online
Forklift Safety Online

For OSHA 10-hour training to protect employees in general industry workplaces, take the newly updated 10 Hour OSHA General Industry Online Course.

Tags: osha, safety

Find a Post

Search for:

Compliance Topics

Compliance Archives

My experience with Lion classes has always been good. Lion Technology always covers the EPA requirements I must follow.

Steven Erlandson

Environmental Coordinator

I like the consistency of Lion workshops. The materials are well put together and instructors are top notch!

Kevin Pylka

Permitting, Compliance & Environmental Manager

Lion was very responsive to my initial questions and the website was user friendly.

Michael Britt

Supply Chain Director

The instructor created a great learning environment.

Avinash Thummadi

CAD & Environmental Manager

Lion was very extensive. There was a lot of things that were covered that were actually pertaining to what I do and work with. Great Job. I will be coming back in three years!

Tony Petrik

Hazmat Shipping Professional

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

The instructor was very very informative, helpful, understandable and pleasant. This course answered many questions I had, being new to this industry.

Frances Mona

Shipping Manager

I really enjoy your workshops. Thank you for such a great program and all the help Lion has provided me over the years!

George Chatman

Hazardous Material Pharmacy Technician

The exercises in the DOT hazardous materials management course are especially helpful in evaluating your understanding of course information.

Morgan Bliss

Principal Industrial Hygienist

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

Use this guide to spot which tanks and substances are regulated under EPA's Underground Storage Tank program, and which are excluded as of October 2018.

Download

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.