Tag: OSHA

An Oregon truck driver says he was exposed to herbicides nearly twice a day for 17 days.

A trucking company in Georgia has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for violating safety and health regulations.

The U.S Department of Labor has entered into a settlement agreement with Gaines Motor Lines, Inc. as well as its owners Tim Gaines and Rick Tompkins, to resolve findings made by the department's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Truck driver Roger D. Fortune was fatally injured Monday after another truck driver at Allan Distribution in South Middleton Township, Pennsylvania did not apply his parking brake, causing the truck to roll forward and pin Fortune between the two trucks.

The FMCSA and OSHA today announced the agencies have signed an agreement to "to strengthen the coordination and cooperation between the agencies regarding the anti-retaliation provision of the Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA). The Memorandum allows for the exchange of safety, coercion and retaliation allegations, when received by one agency, that fall under the authority of the other."

OSHA has cited the Midwest Farmers Cooperative grain handling facility in Tecumseh, Nebraska for "12 serious safety violations," following the death of a truck driver at the facility.

OSHA ruled that Absolute Waste Removal in Iowa must reinstate a terminated driver who was let go for raising safety concerns.

Over the last 6 years, transportation-related whistleblower claims have increased. In 2008, 508 claims were filed, and in 2013, that number jumped to 821.

“Blacklisting an employee and sabotaging a worker’s career is unacceptable. It can have a dangerous ripple effect if employees are compelled to drive when unwell or under medication because they are afraid they will lose their livelihood."

A carrier has been ordered to compensate a drive who was fired for refusing to operate a CMV while taking a prescription cough medicine.

"Whistleblower laws protect not only workers, but also the public at large and now workers will have an additional avenue available to file a complaint with OSHA."

“No truck driver should be forced to drive while tired, sick or in violation of truck weight or Hours of Service requirements. OSHA will continue to defend America’s truck drivers against unscrupulous employers who unlawfully retaliate against drivers who assert their right to drive safely."