Washington — OSHA has launched a pilot program that makes whistleblower closing conferences optional.

According to a notice that went into effect Aug. 3, regional offices will have the choice to send letters in lieu of a closing conference during the yearlong pilot program.

“In the past, OSHA has found that well-conducted closing conferences reduce the appeal rate,” the notice states. “However, the requirement for investigators to attempt to hold a closing conference during each field investigation has put great strain on OSHA’s investigative resources, particularly where the party is nonresponsive, uncooperative and/or combative.

“This procedure applies only as an alternative to the ‘closing conference’ requirement imposed by [the Whistleblower Investigations Manual] Chapter 4. It does not affect, for example, the procedure to provide respondents a ‘due process’ notification and an opportunity to meet with the investigator in response to it in cases involving a potential order of preliminary reinstatement.

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMitgFBVV95cUxQampXX21KeDU1c2xrWWFlRFJ5...