The U.S. Department of Labor conducted a whistleblower probe that found a helicopter ambulance service based in South Dakota took action against a mechanic who expressed safety concerns and filed a complaint with the Federal Aviation Administration.
According to a Department of Labor news release, the mechanic was fired and an Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation determined Avera Careflight’s action was a violation of the Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century.
“Employees must be able to freely exercise their legal rights regarding workplace safety without fear of retaliation by their employer,” OSHA Regional Administrator Jennifer S. Rous said in the release. “The outcome of this investigation and the action on the mechanic’s behalf underscores the department’s commitment to protecting workers’ rights.”
OSHA directed the ambulance service to reinstate the mechanic with $30,600 in back wages and $25,000 in damages and expunge the personnel record, the release reported.
The probe found the mechanic expressed concerns about a helicopter multiple times, including discussions with a supervisor and a national technical representative with the manufacturer during the course of several months, according to the release. Rather than taking care of the issue, the supervisor reprimanded the mechanic several times, leading the employee to file a complaint with the FAA, resulting in the termination.
OSHA, which focuses on ensuring workers’ rights are safeguarded, took action on the mechanic’s behalf, according to the news release, and its efforts spotlight the protection of whistleblowers.
In the wake of the order, the company and the mechanic can file objections or seek a hearing with law judges from the Department of Labor’s Office of Administrative Law within 30 days of receiving the order, the release reported.
Resources and details on whistleblower safeguards can be found on the OSHA Whistleblower Protection Program website, according to the news release. The U.S. Department of Labor does not release the names of employees involved in whistleblower complaints.
