MSHA releases data on workers who claim safety discrimination
Arlington, VA – The number of miners temporarily reinstated to their jobs after filing complaints of discrimination for raising safety and health concerns has increased significantly, according to the Mine Safety and Health Administration.
MSHA submitted 71 requests for temporary reinstatement during fiscal years 2010-2012 – more than triple the 22 requests filed in FY 2007 through 2009, an agency press release stated. MSHA also filed 70 complaints alleging mine safety discrimination during FY 2010-2012, up from 39 complaints in FY 2007-2009.
The agency tied the increase to enhanced efforts to educate workers on their rights, including a web-based training tool released in June 2011 and a reorganization of the Office of Assessments, Accountability, Special Enforcement and Investigations intended to improve staffing and training of investigators.
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