The owner of a marine construction company allegedly created hostile working conditions by making physically threatening gestures, making inappropriate sexual comments and advances, yelling, screaming – and withholding the paycheck of an employee who objected  to that behavior.

Fears of discrimination and retaliation sometimes prevent miners from objecting to health and safety violations, according to Mine Safety and Health Administration chief Joseph Main.

An employee who was terminated two days after filing a health complaint with OSHA is the subject of a lawsuit that seeks to have him reinstated and paid back wages.

OSHA has ordered Brush Creek-based Mark Alvis Inc., owner Mark Alvis and company dispatcher Jack Taylor to reinstate a former employee and pay him more than $180,000 in back pay, interest, and compensatory and punitive damages.

OSHA has filed a lawsuit to force the owner of a Colorado medical clinic to rehire the employee who was fired after complaining about hazards at the facility.