On July 1, 2026, the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health (Cal/OSHA) issued a notice of proposed modifications to the “walkaround rule,” which would govern when employer representatives and employee-authorized representatives may accompany Cal/OSHA personnel during workplace inspections.

Quick Hits

• Cal/OSHA is considering modifications to its proposed workplace inspection regulation after receiving oral and written comments following an April 1, 2026, public hearing.
• The proposed rule would define the roles of employer representatives and employee-authorized representatives during workplace inspections.
• Under the proposed rule, an “employee-authorized representative” may be a fellow employee, a third party, or a collective bargaining representative.
• The proposed rule would not alter the basic consent-and-warrant framework for Cal/OSHA inspections, but it could significantly affect how employers manage the “walkaround” portion of an inspection once a Cal/OSHA inspector is on site.

The notice opened a fifteen-day public comment period, with written comments due by July 16, 2026, at 11:59 p.m.

On February 13, 2026, Cal/OSHA issued a notice of proposed rulemaking to add section 331.8 to Title 8 of the California Code of Regulations, addressing “Employer Representative and Representative Authorized by Employees During Workplace Inspections.” Following a public hearing on April 1, 2026, and a public comment period, Cal/OSHA announced modifications to the...

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