This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
This Website Uses Cookies
By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Learn More
This website requires certain cookies to work and uses other cookies to help you have the best experience. By visiting this website, certain cookies have already been set, which you may delete and block. By closing this message or continuing to use our site, you agree to the use of cookies. Visit our updated privacy and cookie policy to learn more.
ISHN logo
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
ISHN logo
  • Home
  • Magazine
    • Current Issue
    • Digital Editions
    • Archives
    • Buyer's Guide
    • Subscribe
  • Topics
    • Environment
    • Environmental Health and Safety
    • Government Regulations
    • Health
    • Industrial Hygiene
    • Occupational Safety
    • PPE
    • Product Case Studies
    • Psychology
    • Safety Culture
    • Training
    • Transportation Safety
    • More Topics
  • Construction
  • Oil & Gas
  • Columns
    • Editorial Comments
    • Best Practices
    • Positive Cultures
    • Training Strategies
    • Closing Time
    • FR Protection
    • Thought Leadership
  • Products
  • Conventions
    • Convention Companion
  • Multimedia
    • eBooks
    • Infographics
    • Photo Galleries
    • ISHN Podcasts
    • Your Digital Mentor Podcasts
    • Videos
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
    • ISHN YouTube Videos
  • More
    • Awards
      • 2020 Readers' Choice Awards- Submit Products
    • eNewsletters
    • Events
    • ISHN Store
    • Product Case Studies
    • Product Innovations
    • Showrooms
    • Vendor News
  • Advertise
    • Contact
Home » Machinist awarded $51,000 after suspension for making cell phone video of machinery testing
Today's News

Machinist awarded $51,000 after suspension for making cell phone video of machinery testing

September 30, 2014
KEYWORDS machinery safety / OSHA standards
Reprints
OSHAhas ordered Union Pacific Railroad to pay $51,000 in punitive damages and back pay to an employee based in Carson, CA after it violated federal whistleblower provisions when it illegally suspended him for videotaping a safety inspection on his cell phone.

OSHA investigators found the company had suspended the employee after he refused to delete video footage of an air compressor test aboard a locomotive. The previous day the employee had deemed the compressor unsafe and unusable, a decision the supervisor overturned.

A few days later, the employer informed management he had sent the video footage to the Federal Railroad Administration.

"Recording safety inspections on locomotives is protected by federal law," said Ken Atha, regional administrator for OSHA in San Francisco. "Workplace protections, such as these, ensure transparency, accountability, and freedom to raise safety concerns in the workplace without fear of retaliation."

OSHA ordered Union Pacific Railroad to pay back wages and punitive damages of $51,000 and reasonable attorney's fees to the worker following the OSHA investigation. OSHA also ordered the company to amend its policy of banning cell phone recordings of work safety activities.

This marks the 11th time in the past four years that OSHA has found Union Pacific Railroad in violation of the whistleblower protection provisions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act. Under the FRSA, an employee of a railroad carrier or a contractor or subcontractor is protected from retaliation for reporting certain safety and security violations.

OSHA enforces the whistleblower provision of more than 20 statutes protecting employees who report violations of various securities, trucking, airline, nuclear, pipeline, environmental, public transportation, workplace safety and health, consumer product safety, health care reform and financial reform laws.

Detailed information on employee whistleblower rights, including fact sheets with information on how to file a complaint with OSHA, is available online at http://www.whistleblowers.gov.

Subscribe to ISHN Magazine

Related Articles

ASSE pushing use of "In Case of Emergency" system for cell phones

Rules of the road for cell phone users

Related Products

Risk Assessment: A Practical Guide to Assessing Operational Risks

The Fearless World of Professional Safety in the 21st Century

Subscribe For Free!
  • Digital Edition Subscriptions
  • ISHN eNewsletter & Other eNews Alerts
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service

More Videos

Popular Stories

Today's News

2 young part-time UPS workers killed in California

Today's News

Steel worker injured at Indiana plant

crystal ball

Safety and health trends for 2020

Lendlease

Humorous workplace safety campaign features mothers

ergonomic

The most common office injuries and how to prevent them

ISHN Readers' Choice Awards 2020 product submissions


Events

March 7, 2019

Safety and Wellness: The Combination that Drives Engagement and Profitability

On Demand Attend this webinar for the keys to success, as well as mistakes to avoid, when targeting safety and wellness with a Recognition & Reward Program.

View All Submit An Event

ISHN Podcasts


ISHN Podcasts

ISHN Magazine

ISHN1219_cover.jpg

2019 December

Among the articles in the December 2019 issue of ISHN Magazine, we have expert insight on selecting the right respirator, a link to the 2020 Buyers’ & Resource Guide, 10 safety mistakes that can land you in a courtroom, and much more.
View More Create Account
  • Resources
    • List Rental
    • Safety A-Z
    • Custom Content & Marketing Services
    • Market Research
    • Web Exclusives
    • Privacy Policy
  • Want More
    • Connect
    • Subscribe
    • Survey And Sample

Copyright ©2019. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing