What federal law protects workers when they file an inspection request?

• A. Federal law protects workers from retaliation by the company.
• B. OSHA standards protect workers from retaliation.
• C. Environmental laws protect workers.
• D. Privacy laws protect workers.

Answer: (A)

Federal whistleblower protections built into the Occupational Safety and Health Act shield workers who file inspection requests or raise safety concerns from retaliation. This means employers may not fire, demote, discipline, or harass someone simply for asking for an inspection or reporting a hazard. OSHA enforces these protections, and workers can file a complaint if retaliation occurs, with potential remedies like reinstatement and back pay. While OSHA standards address safety requirements, the protection against retaliation for requesting an inspection comes from the federal law itself, not just the standards. Environmental or privacy laws don’t specifically cover retaliation for safety inspection requests.