The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) announced yesterday its intentions to establish a Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee. The committee will advise, consult with and make recommendations to the secretary of labor and the assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health on ways to improve the efficiency, effectiveness, and transparency of OSHA’s administration of whistleblower protections, OSHA said.
“Workers who expose securities and financial fraud, adulterated foods, air and water pollution, or workplace safety hazards have a legal right to speak out without fear of retaliation, and the laws that protect these whistleblowers also protect the health, safety and well-being of all Americans,” said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. “Establishing a federal advisory committee is another important effort to strengthen protections for whistleblowers.”
The committee will advise OSHA on developing and implementing improved customer service models and enhancements in the investigative and enforcement process, training, and regulations governing OSHA investigations. In addition, the committee advised OSHA in cooperative activities with other federal agencies that are responsible for areas covered by the whistleblower protection statutes enforced by OSHA. OSHA’s news release is available here and the Federal Register notice of OSHA’s announcement is available here.
