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As of April 27, 2017, OSHA has rescinded an interpretation letter issued in 2013 that allowed a non-employee who is “affiliated with a union” or with a “community organization” to accompany OSHA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The now rescinded and archived interpretation letter is available on OSHA’s website here.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

The instructor was very patient and engaging - willing to answer and help explain subject matter.

Misty Filipp

Material Control Superintendent

The course was very well structured and covered the material in a clear, concise manner.

Ian Martinez

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Best instructor ever! I was going to take my DOT training w/a different provider, but based on this presentation, I will also be doing my DOT training w/Lion!

Donna Moot

Hazardous Waste Professional

The instructor made the class very enjoyable and catered to the needs of our group.

Sarah Baker

Planner

Convenient; I can train when I want, where I want.

Barry Cook

Hazmat Shipping Professional

Lion's information is very thorough and accurate. Presenter was very good.

Melissa Little

Regulatory Manager

The instructor created a great learning environment.

Avinash Thummadi

CAD & Environmental Manager

Excellent. I learned more in two days with Lion than at a 5-day program I took with another provider.

Francisco Gallardo

HES Technician

The instructor clearly enjoys his job and transmits that enthusiasm. He made a dry subject very interesting and fun.

Teresa Arellanes

EHS Manager

Attending Lion Technology classes should be mandatory for every facility that ships or stores hazmat.

Genell Drake

Outbound Lead

Download Our Latest Whitepaper

This report details major changes for hazardous waste generators from US EPA’s Generator Improvements Rule, as well as the latest updates from states that are still working to adopt new, stricter Federal requirements.

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.