Union says policy would enable reps to go on an inspection where they do not yet officially represent workers, or where the local doesn't have a safety rep. Image: Stranded Downriver/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffOSHA has acted to broaden the third parties—prominently, including union representatives from higher than the local level—allowed to accompany its inspectors in workplace safety examinations, including federal workplaces.
A notice in the April 1 Federal Register finalizes rules proposed last year third parties “may accompany the OSHA Compliance Safety and Health Officer when, in the judgment of the CSHO, good cause has been shown why they are reasonably necessary to aid in the inspection.” That could be, for example, because of their “relevant knowledge, skills, or experience with hazards or conditions in the workplace or similar workplaces, or language or communication skills.”
“Employee representation during the inspection is critically important to ensuring OSHA obtains the necessary information about worksite conditions and hazards,” it says.
The AFGE union said the policy will have a “big impact on how OSHA inspections are conducted at federal facilities. A national rep who works for AFGE can now be the representative and go on OSHA walkaround inspections. Before it could only be the health and safety officer or rep for the local union,” it said.
“It also means we can go on an inspection of a workplace where we do not yet represent the employees if they select an AFGE representative in an organizing campaign when we are working to represent the workers, for example . . . It will be useful in situations where the local has not yet developed its own health and safety representative or where employees might be in fear of reprisal for raising health and safety concerns during an OSHA inspection,” the AFGE said.
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