OSHA Section 11(c)
Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 660(c)
Statute
Section 11(c) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act, 29 U.S.C. § 660(c)
Filing Deadline
30 days from adverse action
Agency
OSHA — Directorate of Whistleblower Protection Programs
Protected Activity
- Filing safety/health complaints with OSHA
- Participating in OSHA inspections
- Reporting workplace hazards to employer
- Refusing dangerous work (imminent danger, no reasonable alternative)
- Exercising any right under the OSH Act
Adverse Actions
- Termination
- Demotion
- Suspension
- Transfer
- Reduction in hours/pay
- Threats
- Intimidation
- Blacklisting
- Disciplinary action
Remedies
- Reinstatement
- Back pay with interest
- Compensatory damages
- Attorney fees
Prima Facie Case
- Employee engaged in protected activity
- Employer knew about the protected activity
- Employee suffered adverse action
- Temporal proximity or causal connection between protected activity and adverse action