The Occupational Safety & Health Administration proposed a new rule to clarify that a non-employee, including a union representative, can represent employees during workplace inspections in many circumstances. Either an employee or a non-employee third party that's "reasonably necessary to aid in the inspection" may be authorized to accompany OSHA officers during inspections, according to the proposed rule. Union representatives chosen by employees could fall into this category, as could local safety council representatives, knowledgeable translators or close third parties on multi-employer or joint-employer worksites, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's proposed rule said. The Trump Administration rescinded a directive that said authorized third-party representation could participate in workplace walkarounds. OSHA's actions this week revisit the issue as the agency looks to clarify who can be allowed to tag along on inspections.