Workplace Safety and Federal Whistleblower Laws (OSHA)
And so we see a bill that represents in its culmination the American system at its best: Democrats, Republicans, the House, the Senate, the White House, business, labor, all cooperating in a common goal—the saving of lives , the avoiding of injuries, making the places of work for 55 million Americans safer and more pleasant places.”
–President Richard Nixon, upon signing OSHA in 1970
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces whistleblower protections under many federal laws. A listing of those laws and the corresponding statute of limitations for filing complaints of retaliation are provided below. Under these laws, OSHA prohibits employers from retaliating against workers who report violations of these laws (both internally and to OSHA), participate in investigations of violations of these laws, or who oppose conduct that is unlawful under these laws.
- Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (90 days)
- Clean Air Act (30 days)
- Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (30 days)
- Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (180 days)
- Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (180 days)
- Energy Reorganization Act (180 days)
- Federal Railroad Safety Act (180 days)
- Federal Water Pollution Control Act (30 days)
- International Safe Container Act (60 days)
- Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (motor vehicle safety) (180 days)
- National Transit Systems Security Act (180 days)
- Occupational Safety and Health Act (30 days)
- Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (180 days)
- Safe Drinking Water Act (30 days)
- Sarbanes-Oxley Act (180 days)
- Seaman’s Protection Act (180 days)
- Section 402 of the FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (180 days)
- Section 1558 of the Affordable Care Act (180 days)
- Solid Waste Disposal Act (30 days)
- Surface Transportation Assistance Act (180 days)
- Toxic Substances Control Act (30 days)
- Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (90 days)