Consultation with employees.

  • Part Number:
  • Part Number Title:
  • Title:
  • GPO Source:

Compliance Safety and Health Officers may consult with employees concerning matters of occupational safety and health to the extent they deem necessary for the conduct of an effective and thorough inspection. During the course of an inspection, any employee shall be afforded an opportunity to bring any violation of the Act which he has reason to believe exists in the workplace to the attention of the Compliance Safety and Health Officer.

Reporting over-the-road fatalities; Refusing entry and employee interviews to an OSHA inspector; and OSHA's policy associated with seat belts on forklift trucks

OSHA requirements are set by statute, standards and regulations. Our interpretation letters explain these requirements and how they apply to particular circumstances, but they cannot create additional employer obligations. This letter constitutes OSHA's interpretation of the requirements discussed. Note that our enforcement guidance may be affected by changes to OSHA rules. Also, from time to time we update our guidance in response to new information. To keep apprised of such developments, you can consult OSHA's website at https://www.osha.gov.

May 28, 1997

Mr. Jai Kundu, Vice President
American Trucking Association
2200 Mill Road
Alexandria, VA 22314-4677

Dear Mr. Kundu:

This is in response to your letter of January 2, in which you asked for additional information on three topics (reporting over-the-road fatalities, refusing entry and employee interviews to an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspector, and OSHA's policy associated with seat belts on forklift trucks). Please accept our apology for the delay in this response.