OMB completes review of worker walkaround rule

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) completed its review of OSHA’s worker walkaround final rule on March 20. The next step is publication in the Federal Register.

The final rule expands the criteria under 1903.8(c) for who employees can authorize to act as their representative during an OSHA inspection. OSHA says it clarifies the right of workers and certified bargaining units to specify a worker or union representative to accompany an OSHA inspector during the inspection process/facility walkaround, regardless of whether the representative is an employee of the employer, if in the judgment of the Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) this person is reasonably necessary to an effective and thorough physical inspection.

The current rule allows employees to select a non-employee (third party), such as an industrial hygienist or safety professional, only if the CSHO agrees that the person is “reasonably necessary” to conduct an effective inspection.