Norfolk Southern Railway Fined $802,168 in OSHA Whistleblower Case
2012-06-20 |
After an investigation by the federal government's safety agency, Norfolk Southern Railway will be forced to pay illegally fired workers.
In a release, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration forced the rail organization to pay $802,168.70 to three whistleblowers who were fired after being injured on the job. The company illegally terminated the laborers after they reported getting hurt while at work.
The head of OHSA said that employees need to feel free to report injuries.
"Firing workers for reporting an injury is not only illegal, it also endangers all workers. When workers are discouraged from reporting injuries, no investigation into the cause of an injury can occur," said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. "To prevent more injuries, railroad workers must be able to report an injury without fear of retaliation."
Other firms have been forced to rehire workers after violating OSHA's whistleblower provisions. Earlier this month, Alaska-based North Star Behavioral Health System was forced to reinstate an employee who had been fired for calling attention to safety violations.
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