OSHA Enhances Safety at Penn State U Construction, Upholds Whistleblower in AirTran

OSHA has partnered with Torcon Inc. to guide, train, and give technical assistance to workers involved in the construction of the Penn State University Biological Research Laboratory. The partnership is in line with OSHA’s charter to mitigate workplace hazards and prevent or reduce worker injuries, illnesses, even fatalities. It allows OSHA to work directly with Torcon, its subcontractor, and its employees.

Partnerships such as those forged with Torcon complement the OSHA 30 certification (for supervisors) and OSHA 10 hour training (for workers) that most employers now require to improve safety and health conditions at worksites.

OSHA, via its Strategic Partnership Program, partners with employers, workers, and organizations to set up goals, strategies, and performance standards to heighten worker safety and health at the worksite.
"Construction is a high-hazard industry, and when multiple employers are working on a construction site, the likelihood of injuries occurring increases," commented Kevin Kilp, director of OSHA's Harrisburg Area Office.

For his part, Don Fronk, Penn State physical plant occupational safety and environmental health specialist, said that "Penn State University applauds OSHA's partnership with Torcon Inc. Safety has always been priority number one, and the university intends to maintain its fine track record."

Meanwhile, the work-safety organization has ordered AirTran Airways, a Southwest Airlines subsidiary, to reinstate a former pilot who was fired after reporting numerous mechanical concerns about the airline. In addition, AirTran has been ordered to pay the pilot over $1 million in back wages, interest, and compensatory damages. OSHA's Whistleblower Protection Program revealed reasonable cause to believe that the pilot was fired in retaliation for his complaint to OSHA.

Besides OSHA standards for safety at the worksite, which are covered in OSHA 30 certification (for supervisors) and OSHA 10 hour training (for workers), the U.S. Department of Labor's workplace-safety watchdog also implements the Whistleblower Protection Program which protects the employee who reports safety or health violations by the employer.

"Airline workers must be free to raise safety and security concerns, and companies that diminish those rights through intimidation or retaliation must be held accountable," said OSHA assistant secretary Dr. David Michaels. "Airline safety is of vital importance, not only to the workers, but to the millions of Americans who use our airways."

OSHA explained that terminating the employment of a pilot for reporting mechanical malfunctions is not consistent with an airline that values the safety of its passengers and its employees.
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