OSHA's Complaint Response Policies: OSHA Credits Its Complaint System with Conserving Agency Resources, but the System Still Warrants Improvement

Workers who "blow the whistle" on prohibited practices play a role in enforcing federal laws, but these workers risk reprisals from their employers. The Whistleblower Protection Program at the Occupational Safety and Health Admin. (OSHA) is responsible for investigating whistleblowers' complaints. OSHA's decisions generally may be appealed to the Office of Administrative Law Judges and, ultimately, the Administrative Review Board. This report examined: (1) what is known about processing times for complaints and what affects these times; (2) what outcomes resulted; and (3) what challenges OSHA faces in administering the program. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.