September 13, 2010 at 08:51 PM
Business interests and organized labor are at odds over a proposed OSHA regulation that would end broad exemptions from agency inspections for worksites participating in on-site consultation programs, with the proposed rule making it easier for the agency to conduct “critical inspections” as it deems necessary. Industry sources suggest the changes could gut the voluntary program, but union sources say the proposal simply clarifies OSHA's inspection authority on major issues of public interest, such as diacetyl and combustible dust. The proposed rule, published Sept. 3 with a public comment per