A proposed rule from the U.S. Dept. of Labor to broaden its regulation about employee representation on workplace safety inspections has drawn widespread opposition from contractors. The change would allow workers to select a representative employed by a third party. Construction industry groups say that could create liabilities, safety risks and more.
The proposal revives Occupational Safety and Health Administration policy originally implemented in 2013 via a letter of interpretation to the United Steelworkers. OSHA later rescinded it after a lawsuit which argued the regulation should have undergone formal rulemaking. OSHA published its newly proposed rule Aug. 30 in the Federal Register.
