OSHA Fines Metro North $300,000 for Retaliation Against Injured Workers

The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has fined Metro North Commuter Railroad Co. for retaliation against four employees who reported work-related injuries. The railroad was ordered by OSHA to take corrective actions and pay back wages, fees and a total of $300,000 in punitive damages.

"Railroad employees have the right to report occupational injuries and illnesses without fear that doing so will negatively affect their jobs, their health or their income," said Jordan Barab, Acting U.S. Assistant Secretary of Labor for Safety and Health. "Retaliating against employees for exercising this basic, legally protected workplace right is unacceptable."

The employees were injured on the job in 2007 and 2008 and filed whistleblower complaints against Metro North Commuter Railroad Co. The complaints filed with OSHA alleged that the railroad disciplined them for reporting their injuries, interfered with their medical treatment plans and/or reclassified injuries from occupational to non-occupational.

OSHA investigated the incidents, held a hearing and fined the company under OSHA's The Whistleblower Protection Program.