Protecting America’s Workers Act Will Protect Whistleblowers, Ensure Victims Rights, Witnesses Tell

[Omaha Steve]

http://edlabor.house.gov/newsroom/2010/04/protecting-americas-workers-ac.shtml

April 28, 2010 2:41 PM

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Legislation is needed to modernize federal laws that protect workers who blow the whistle on unsafe working conditions and ensure victims of workplace accidents have a voice an investigation, witnesses told the Workforce Protections Subcommittee of the House Education and Labor Committee today.
The hearing took place on the 21st anniversary of Workers Memorial Day, which honors workers who lose their lives, become injured or develop an illness on the job each year.

“A safe workplace depends on workers reporting unsafe conditions to their employers or the government without fear of retaliation, and with the knowledge that the government will be there to back them up if the employer does retaliate,” said U.S. Rep. Lynn Woolsey (D-CA), chair of the subcommittee.

The Protecting America’s Workers Act (H.R. 2067) and proposed changes to legislation, would update workplace whistleblower protections by mirroring other modern whistleblower statutes, such as the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act. The bill would also ensure that victims and their families are kept informed about investigations of fatalities and incidents involving serious injuries or illnesses.

“I believe stronger whistleblower protections and more substantial rights for victims and their families can lead to safer jobsites and ultimately, more men and women who go safely home to their families at the end of the day,” said Jordan Barab, the deputy assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “This administration strongly supports the whistleblower provisions of the Protecting America’s Workers Act.”

Under the bill, a seriously injured worker or family member would have the right to meet with OSHA prior to the issuance of a citation, receive copies of a citation at no cost, be informed of any notice of contest and receive pleadings regarding appeals, and make a statement on the record before an agreement to change a citation is finalized.

FULL story at link.