OSHA is at your door, what do you do?  What are the rules?  Can this happen, even if we are a small business?

The answer is yes, and recently there are some new rules that were passed and will go into effect.

OSHA announced its Final Rule on Worker Walkaround representative designation.  On March 29, 2024, OSHA clarified that employees and employers can authorize a representative to accompany an OSHA compliance safety and health office (sometimes call an (CSHO) during a walkaround inspection of their workplace. Employees or the employer may otherwise another employee to serve as their representative or select a third-party nonemployee.

The final rule was published in the Federal Register onApril 1, 2024, and will go into effect on May 31, 2024.  

So, what should you do? Identify the process or procedures your company has if OSHA arrives at your place of business.  Who would be the designated person to walk with OSHA should they arrive?  Is there a designated person or 3^rd party that you would like to assist?