Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Agencies Agree to Improve FRA Whistleblower Protection

DOT's Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and OSHA have signed an agreement to improve enforcement of the whistleblower provision in the Federal Railroad Safety Act, which protects employees from retaliation when they report safety violations. According to FRA, the agreement states that, "FRA will refer railroad employees who complain of alleged discrimination to OSHA, and OSHA will share copies of the complaints it receives with FRA." In addition, both agencies will develop training for FRA on how to process complaints of retaliation and to assist OSHA in recognizing violations.