OSHA updates whistleblower manual

Washington – OSHA released an update to its Whistleblower Investigations Manual Sept. 21, the first such update in nearly a decade and part of a series of measures the agency is seeking in an effort to improve the Whistleblower Protection Program.

The manual (.pdf file) outlines procedures for handling retaliation complaints under a variety of whistleblower statutes that OSHA enforces. Major changes to the document include:

• A requirement that investigators must attempt to interview the complainant in all cases
• Clarification that whistleblower complaints may be filed orally, in writing or electronically via the WPP website, and are accepted in any language
• Several new chapters for processing complaints under various statutes