OSHA’s Final Rule on Nuclear and Environmental Retaliation Complaints

On March 10, 2011, OSHA published a final rule that standardizes the procedures for handling whistleblower retaliation complaints under the Energy Reorganization Act of 1974.

Similar to other whistleblower provisions, these regulations not only allow workers to file complaints in writing, but also orally and in other languages. This approach improves access to the complaint-filing process for workers who may have difficulty submitting written complaints. Additionally, workers will receive copies of documents submitted by the employer in response to their whistleblower complaints, subject to applicable privacy and confidentiality laws.

“Silenced workers are not safe workers,” said Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels. “Changes in the whistleblower provisions make good on the promise to stand by those workers who have the courage to come forward when they believe their employer is violating an environmental or nuclear safety law.”

The rule covers workers who voice concerns related to nuclear and environmental safety or security under clean air and water, safe drinking water, solid waste, and toxic substances, among others.

For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov\

(Note: Information for this report was supplied by OSHA).

As of March 18, the US is Assured that No Harmful Radiation from the Recent Nuclear Disaster in Japan will Reach the US West Coast, or Hawaii

Scientists say that computer models show the jet stream carrying those radioactive tars touching the Aleutian Islands before hitting the California coast. The deputy U.S. Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman concurred with those assurances and downplayed concerns about trace amounts of radiation detected on flights arriving at U.S. airports.

“We are continuously monitoring the situation. We have monitors in the U.S., [and] we have been sending flights over in Japan to monitor the situation there,” Poneman told CBS’ “The Early Show.” So rest assured that as any new data comes in, we’re going to be analyzing it.”

As for the specter of radiation in the U.S., the president is relying on Department of Energy experts and the independent Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Poneman said. “We expect no harmful levels of radiation to reach the West Coast, to reach Hawaii, Alaska, or any of the pacific territories.”

(Note: CBS news contributed to the above report).

Compiled by JeanMarie Calvillo, Ph.D., Regulatory Specialist