PORTLAND, Ore. – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration ordered Oak Harbor Freight Lines Inc. to compensate a worker who refused to drive in violation of safety regulations. OSHA has also ordered the trucking company, based in Auburn, Wash., to stop retaliating against workers who refuse to drive trucks while too ill or fatigued to safely operate vehicles at its facilities.
OSHA determined that the attendance policy of Oak Harbor Freight Lines punishes drivers by issuing them notices of "occurrences," which can result in disciplinary action or termination for failing to drive, regardless of possible safety concerns. OSHA is requiring the employer to compensate the employee for lost wages and has ordered the company to remove any occurrences from the driver's personnel file. The employer will also be required to post a notice for drivers to read and learn about their lawful rights under the STAA.
