OSHA Helps Whistleblowers

OSHA’s new site www.whistleblowers.gov was established earlier this month for workers who have concerns regarding unsafe, prohibited, or unlawful practices in the workplace and for anyone who may have been retaliated against for exercising rights protected by the OSH Act. According to a press release from OSHA, workers can now file safety or health complaints and seek an inspection, participate in the inspection itself, and/or testify in any related proceeding. In addition to providing information about federal whistleblower protection statutes that OSHA oversees, the new website also lists examples of discrimination an employee might face and easily outlines the requirements a person filing a workplace hazard report and/or discrimination complaint must meet. Fulfilling their promise to stand by the workers who have the courage to come forward and report violations, OSHA is committed towards making the workplace a lot safer by enforcing compliance. The employers now must do their part to address and resolve employees concerns before they contact OSHA directly because once contacted, OSHA will follow the report with a series of reviews and interviews that could lead to even more penalties for them. This website is extremely informative and essential to both the employer and worker when it comes to taking the right steps to ensure safety.