OSHA Publishes Interim Final Rules For Filing Whistleblower Complaints

OSHA announced its new interim final rules for filing whistleblower complaints and invited the public to submit comments.  In a news release, OSHA stated:

“When workers believe their employers are violating certain laws or government regulations, they have the right to file a complaint and should not fear retaliation. Silenced workers are not safe workers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA David Michaels. “Changes in the whistleblower provisions make good on the promise to stand by those workers who have the courage to come forward when they believe their employer is violating the law and cutting corners on a variety of safety, health and security concerns in the affected industries.”

The regulations, which cover workers filing complaints in the railroad, public transit, commercial motor carrier, and consumer product industries, also create greater consistency among various OSHA complaint procedures. The interim final rules establish procedures and time frames for handling complaints under the whistleblower sections of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007 and the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008.

For more information about the firm’s Whistleblower Law Practice, click here.

Tagged: Enforcement Bodies, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)