The Western Region of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched its Expedited Case Processing Pilot, which allows whistleblowers to request OSHA to expedite its findings during an investigation.
For a complainant’s case to be moved to the Office of Administrative Law Judges in an expedited manner, it must meet all of the following criteria:
If the case meets the above standards, OSHA will evaluate the claims in question and rule on whether or not it’s reasonable to believe that a violation has taken place. At that point, the federal agency may choose to dismiss the claim, provide its merit findings (as quickly as possible) or outright deny the complainant’s request for expedition.
This is an interesting initiative that could have an impact on how whistleblower complaints are handled both now and in the future. For further information on this development and various other issues related to whistleblower law, meet with a skilled Dallas attorney at Whistleblower Law for Managers.