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The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a February 12th news release stating that it has ordered Rise Construction LLC and Niko Group LLC to reinstate and compensate two workers who were allegedly fired after raising asbestos concerns during a repair of a hotel.
The referenced entities are stated to be Houston-based construction companies.
OSHA states it investigated a whistleblower complaint by the terminated employees. They were allegedly fired after raising concerns to the owners about:
- Lack of:
- Training.
- Asbestos certification.
- Personal protective equipment.
- Illegal dumping of asbestos.
OSHA states that it determined that the terminations were in retaliation for making protected complaints under the following federal statutes:
- Clean Air Act.
- Solid Waste Disposal Act.
- Toxic Substances Control Act.
The two companies are required to reinstate the two employees and pay them more than $200,000 in back wages and interest, along as compensatory and punitive damages.
A copy of the news release can be found here.
