FPA is monitoring developments regarding third-parties accompany U.S. OSHA inspectors. In a letter of interpretation, recently issued by the government agency, union representatives and other non-employee third-parties were endorsed to accompany OSHA inspectors at non-union work places. This endorsement reflects a departure from previous regulation interpretations and OSHA policy. 

 

FPA recently participated in a National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) hosted webinar about the OSHA letter of interpretation. During the webinar, an overview of the letter and its potential impact on manufacturers was provided by Michael Taylor, Esq. of law firm Jackson Lewis LLP. 

 

FPA is a signatory of the Coalition for Workplace Safety letter to OSHA, which expresses concern with the OSHA letter of interpretation. CWS has also sent a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee advocating for a rider on the Labor, HHS bill that will prohibit OSHA from implementing the letter of interpretation. 

 

FPA will continue to monitor the issue and provide updates of further developments. For more information on the OSHA letter of interpretation, and the efforts of NAM and CWS, contact Ram Singhal, vice president, Technology and Environmental Strategy at (410) 694-0800.