Us Congress House Bill HJR147

Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 5/16/24
• Refer: 5/16/24

Caption

Providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration relating to "Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process".

Impact

If passed, HJR147 would effectively remove the OSHA rule from the regulatory framework. Supporters of the resolution argue that this would streamline the inspection process and alleviate potential disruptions caused by non-delegated representatives during inspections. They believe that direct employee representation during inspections is sufficient and do not see the necessity of establishing a formal designation process for walkaround representatives. This could lead to fewer obstacles during safety inspections, potentially enhancing workplace safety standards more effectively.

Summary

HJR147 is a congressional joint resolution aimed at disapproving a rule from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regarding the Worker Walkaround Representative Designation Process. This process outlines the manner in which workers can designate a representative to accompany OSHA inspectors during workplace inspections. The resolution seeks to nullify this rule, claiming it undermines the efficiency and effectiveness of inspections by allowing non-employees to accompany inspectors, which could lead to complications and delays in the inspection process.

Contention

The bill has generated considerable debate among industry stakeholders and labor rights advocates. Critics of HJR147 contend that the resolution may weaken worker protections by limiting their ability to have a designated representative during OSHA visits. They argue that the presence of a walkaround representative ensures that workers' rights and safety concerns are adequately voiced and addressed during inspections. As such, the backlash against this measure reflects a broader concern regarding the balance between regulatory oversight and worker rights within the workplace.