Section 63 Informal Conference

• Library: Employer-Employee Law 2008

After a citation is issued but before the employer contests the citation, the employer may participate in an informal conference with OSHA. The informal conference is a meeting between the employer and OSHA to discuss:

• the inspection process
• the conditions in the workplace
• the citations
• the proposed penalties; and
• the abatement deadlines

The informal conference is an opportunity for the employer to negotiate with OSHA in an effort to obtain a withdrawal of certain citation items, a reduction in proposed penalties, or an adjustment of abatement deadlines.

While the informal conference is an opportunity to settle the case, it is not the only opportunity, and it may not be the best opportunity. The short window of time to contest the citations (15 working...