OSHA, FMCSA sign agreement to protect against employer retaliation

Washington – OSHA and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration have signed an agreement intended to strengthen the anti-retaliation provision in the Surface Transportation Assistance Act.

The act protects drivers and other commercial motor vehicle workers from discipline, discharge or other forms of discrimination in response to employees reporting safety issues.

Under the memorandum, FMCSA will refer employees who complain of retaliation to OSHA, and OSHA will provide FMCSA with copies of complaints filed and findings issued under the act. Additionally, FMCSA will process OSHA requests for information from various FMCSA databases.

In May, FMCSA proposed a rule that would prohibit carriers, shippers, receivers and other entities from forcing truck and bus drivers to violate federal regulations so shipments or passengers could be delivered faster.