Stating that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s newly revised walkaround rule infringes on private property rights of employers, South Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill that would “condemn and oppose” the changes to federal workplace safety rules.
H.R. 5361, introduced Tuesday, is a response to changes to OSHA’s walkaround rule that go into effect on May 31 and allow for nonemployee representatives to participate in OSHA in inspections.
Proponents of the new walkaround rule say this would allow more input and insight into OSHA inspections by qualified experts. Opponents say the changes would allow for more unscrupulous involvement in the inspection process, such as inviting plaintiffs’ attorneys on site or disgruntled former employees access to employer sites.
The resolution, which alleges that OSHA’s changes violate federal constitutional rights, was referred to the Committee on Labor, Commerce and Industry.