Final Whistleblower Regulations Released by OSHA

Recently, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued final rules implementing whistleblower provisions of two acts:

• Surface Transportation Assistance Act: The whistleblower provisions of this act include protections from retaliation for employee complaints regarding violations of commercial motor vehicle safety or security law or regulations, among other things. The final rule is located here.
• Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008: The whistleblower provisions of this act include protections from retaliation for employee complaints of violations of consumer product safety regulations or standards, among other things. The final rule is located here.

OSHA is the main federal agency charged with the enforcement of safety and health legislation. Under the OSH Act, employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace.

In addition to enforcing regulations issued under the OSH Act, OSHA is also responsible for enforcing whistleblower provisions of its statutes.

Employees who complain of violations of either of these acts are protected from retaliation by their employers such as intimidation, threats, blacklisting, discipline, discharge and harassment.

If you feel that you have been the victim of retaliation in your workplace, please contact Khorrami LLP for a private consultation.