OSHA Says Alaska Company Must Reinstate Worker
2012-06-07 |
Alaska-based North Star Behavioral System was recently forced by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to rehire a worker who was fired after calling attention to safety issues.
The agency released a statement saying the Anchorage firm had violated protections guaranteed to workers under the Safe Drinking Water Act. A worker was punished after complaining to regulators about the lack of clean drinking water. As a result of this act, the former manager was fired after being accused of sabotaging the firm's water supply.
The local OSHA leadership said that employees need to feel free to report violations.
"Workers have the right to voice safety concerns without fear of retaliation or termination," said Dean Ikeda, OSHA's regional administrator in Seattle. "Employers found in violation of whistleblower protection provisions will be held accountable."
The agency has been seeking to improve the provisions outlined in its whistleblower protections by establishing new groups. In May, OSHA announced plans to create a Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee.
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