OSHA Failing to Protect COVID-19 Whistleblowers

While the pandemic has shed light on the need for workers to have a voice in on-the-job health and safety issues, under the Trump administration, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has failed to protect workers who blow the whistle on COVID-19 safety violations by their employers.

An analysis of OSHA data by the National Employment Law Project (NELP) found that a majority of whistleblower retaliation complaints during the first five months of the pandemic were dismissed or closed without investigation. Out of 1,744 COVID-19-related retaliation complaints to OSHA through Aug. 9, only 35 incidents - 2 percent - were resolved.

Steve Sallman, Assistant Director of the USW’s Health, Safety and Environment Department, spoke about this issue on Oct. 13 during an OSHA whistleblower stakeholders meeting. You can read Sallman’s remarks by clicking here.

Read more about the NELP report here.

Press Inquiries

Media Contacts

Communications Director:
Jess Kamm at 412-562-2446

USW@WORK (USW magazine)
Editor R.J. Hufnagel

For industry specific inquiries,
Call USW Communications at 412-562-2442

Mailing Address

United Steelworkers
Communications Department
60 Blvd. of the Allies
Pittsburgh, PA 15222