Protecting Employees Who Speak Up About Workplace Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) ensures that employees can report unsafe working conditions without fear of retaliation. If you raise concerns about workplace safety or health, the law protects your right to do so—and provides legal remedies if your employer takes action against you.

What Is Protected Activity?

You are protected when you:

• Report workplace safety or health hazards to OSHA or your employer
• Participate in an OSHA investigation or inspection
• Refuse dangerous work under certain conditions
• Testify or provide evidence in an OSHA proceeding
  
  

What Retaliation Looks Like

Employers are prohibited from retaliating against whistleblowers. Retaliation may include:

• Termination or demotion
• Pay cuts or loss of hours
• Intimidation or harassment
• Blacklisting or damaging your professional reputation
  
  

Your Rights Under OSHA

If you face retaliation for reporting safety concerns, you may be entitled to:

• Reinstatement to your job
• Back pay and lost benefits
• Compensation for damages
• Protection of your confidentiality
  
  

OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program

In addition to the OSH Act, OSHA enforces more than 20 federal whistleblower laws. These laws protect employees who report various types of violations, including transportation safety, financial fraud, environmental risks, consumer protection, and more:

• Affordable Care Act (ACA) — 29 U.S.C. § 218C
• Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) — 31 U.S.C. § 5323(a)(5), (g), (j)
• Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) — 15 U.S.C. § 2651
• Clean Air Act (CAA) — 42 U.S.C. § 7622
• Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA) — 42 U.S.C. § 9610
• Consumer Financial Protection Act (CFPA) — 12 U.S.C. § 5567
• Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) — 15 U.S.C. § 2087
• Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act (CAARA) — 15 U.S.C. § 7a-3
• Energy Reorganization Act (ERA) — 42 U.S.C. § 5851
• FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) — 21 U.S.C. § 399d
• Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) — 49 U.S.C. § 20109
• Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act) (FWPCA/CWA) — 33 U.S.C. § 1367
• International Safe Container Act (ISCA) — 46 U.S.C. § 80507
• Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) — 49 U.S.C. § 30171
• National Transit Systems Security Act (NTSSA) — 6 U.S.C. § 1142
• Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA) — 49 U.S.C. § 60129
• Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) — 42 U.S.C. § 300j-9(i)
• Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) — 18 U.S.C. § 1514A
• Seaman’s Protection Act (SPA) — 46 U.S.C. § 2114
• Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA/RCRA) — 42 U.S.C. § 6971
• Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) — 49 U.S.C. § 31105
• Taxpayer First Act (TFA) — 26 U.S.C. § 7623(d)
• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) — 15 U.S.C. § 2622
• Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR21) — 49 U.S.C. § 42121

How We Help

Our team represents OSHA whistleblowers nationwide. We guide you through filing a complaint, protect your rights during investigations, and pursue the maximum remedies available under the law.

If you believe your rights have been violated after reporting workplace safety issues, contact us today for a confidential consultation.