NFFS signs letter calling for extension of comment period for OSHA Walkaround Rule

Posted By: Jerrod Weaver Government Affairs, NFFS,

On September 21, NFFS joined the Coalition for Workplace Safety (CWS) and 73 other organizations in sending a letter to the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health requesting a 60-day extension to the comment period on the agency's notice of proposed rulemaking regarding the Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process. 

The proposed rulemaking would allow employees to designate nonemployees as their representative during facility walkarounds with OSHA Compliance Safety and Health officers. This is a significant change to the agency's existing procedures for workplace safety inspections. 

The requested 60-day extension to the comment period would ensure the regulated community has the opportunity it needs to analyze the changes, assess their potential impacts, and draft comprehensive comments that will fully address the consequences of these changes on the economy, business operations, and workplace dynamics. By providing this extension, OSHA will obtain more insightful and useful input from the regulated community before making such significant changes to its procedures.

The NFFS Government Affairs Committee is actively tracking the proposed rulemaking and is prepared to defend the concerns and interests of our membership and our non-ferrous foundry industry. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.