When an OSHA inspector walks into a manufacturing facility, the inspection can go well beyond safety records and equipment. Inspectors may question employees about workplace hazards, training and safety procedures. But do workers have to answer?

A BSI guidance article explains that frontline employees generally can decline voluntary interviews or refuse specific questions, while managers face different expectations. Workers may request representation, and OSHA inspectors generally conduct employee interviews privately, without management present. Inspectors can also seek subpoenas to compel testimony.

“An OSHA inspection isn’t the time to discover that your supervisors don’t understand the rules or your employees aren’t sure how to explain the safety procedures they follow every day,” said Jacob Sargent, director of public policy services for the Ohio Manufacturers’ Association (OMA). “Manufacturers should be preparing long before an inspector arrives, not trying to figure things out while someone is walking the plant floor.”

The article also warns against management interference in employee interviews, inadequate preparation and retaliation against workers who raise safety concerns. BSI recommends training and mock inspections so employees understand their rights, supervisors know their responsibilities and employers can avoid preventable mistakes that turn a routine inspection into a bigger problem. 11/9/2026