Last week OSHA published interim final rules on the Seaman’s Protection Act procedures governing whistleblower complaints under the Act. The Seaman’s Protection Act protects seamen from retaliation for engaging in protected activity under the Act, including providing information to the government about an alleged violation of maritime safety laws or regulations.
Individuals are encouraged to review the interim final rules and submit comments about them to OSHA. Comments may be submitted in the following ways: Submit electronically at https://www.regulations.gov, the Federal eRulemaking Portal. Submissions may also be sent via facsimile or mail. See the Federal Register notice for details. Submissions must be submitted by April 8, 2013. Faxed submissions, including attachments, must not exceed 10 pages and should be sent to the OSHA Docket Office at 202-693-1648. Comments submitted by mail should be addressed to the OSHA Docket Office, Docket No. OSHA-2011-0841, U.S. Department of Labor, Room N-2625, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, D.C. 20210.
For more information see the OSHA press release.