Federal safety regulations are in place for a reason: to keep people safe from workplace injury. When a worker notices unsafe conditions on the job, he or she has the right to see to it that changes are made so that the employer is brought into compliance with federal safety regulations.
Companies, for obvious reasons, don't always appreciate employees trying to get them up to speed, though, particularly when federal safety officials are notified about the problems. In some cases, employers lash out at such employees either by firing them, demoting them, or some other form of ill or unfair treatment.
An example of this type of thing is a case involving a worker for McKees Rocks Industrial Enterprises who was fired after informing the Occupational Safety and Health Administration of issues related to workplace safety. The tip led to an OSHA investigation, with which the employer was apparently not happy.
After the man was fired, OSHA sued the company for illegally retaliating against the worker. The company has apparently agreed to settle the case for $100,000. As part of the settlement, the company also agreed to remove records of any disciplinary actions against the former worker and provide him a neutral reference for future employment.
Those who believe they have been subjected to retaliatory treatment by an employer or former employer can file a complaint with OSHA about the incident. As in this case, this course of action can lead to appropriate compensation. In some cases, it can be helpful to work with an experienced attorney to ensure one’s rights are adequately protected and the employer is held accountable for violating federal law.
Source: Insurance Journal, “Pennsylvania Man Gets $100K in OSHA Whistleblower Lawsuit,” July 9, 2014.Occupational Safety and Health Administration, “Your Rights as a Whistleblower,” Accessed July 14, 2014.