Whistleblower - MOSH

The Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH) Act is designed to regulate employment conditions relating to occupational safety and health. The Act provides for a wide range of substantive and procedural rights for employees and representatives of employees. The Act also recognizes that effective implementation and achievement of its goals depend in large measure upon the active participation of employees, individually and through their representatives, at every level of safety and health activity. To ensure that employees can actively participate in safety and health without fear of retaliation or discrimination , Section 5-604 of the Act states that:
(b) Retaliatory action prohibited - An employer or other person may not discharge or otherwise discriminate against an employee because the employee:
  (1) Files a complaint under or related to this title;
  (2) Brings an action under this title or a preceding under or related to this title or causes the action or proceeding to be brought;
  (3) Has testified or will testify in an action under this title or a proceeding under or related to this title; or
  (4) Exercises, for the employee or another, a right under this title.
(c) Complaint by employee
  (1) An employee who believes that an employer or other person has discharged or otherwise discriminated against the employee in violation of subsection (b) of this section may submit to the Commissioner a written complaint that alleges the discrimination and that includes the signature of that employee.
  (2) An employee shall file a complaint under this subsection within 30 days after the alleged discrimination occurs.
Examples of activity protected by the Act include, but are not limited to:

1. Filing occupational safety or health complaints with MOSH, OSHA, or other agencies;
2. Reporting occupational safety or health complaints to a supervisor or other management personnel;
3. Instituting or causing to be instituted any proceeding under or related to the Act;
   • Inspection of a worksite pursuant to Section 5-208 of the Act and
   • Contest of abatement period under Section 5-213(b)(2) of the Act.
4. Exercising any right under the Act;
5. Refusing to perform a dangerous assigned task under certain circumstances;
   1. Has a reasonable apprehension of death or serious injury,
   2. Refuses in good faith,
   3. Has no reasonable alternative,
   4. Has insufficient time to eliminate the condition through regular statutory enforcement channels, i.e., to contact MOSH, and to have an inspection, and
   5. Where possible, sought from his or her employer, and was unable to obtain a correction of the dangerous condition.
6. Complying with and obtaining benefits of occupational safety and health standards and regulations;
   1. An employee has the right to wear personal protective equipment (PPE) required by an OSHA or MOSH standard, to refuse to purchase PPE (except as provided by the standards), and to engage in a work practice required by a standard.
7. Participating in a MOSH inspection;
8. Requesting information from MOSH or OSHA;
9. Refusing to inform an employer of the identity of the person who complained to or contacted MOSH or OSHA; or
10. Refusing to reimburse an employer for MOSH penalties

Examples of Adverse Actions include, but are not limited to

• Discharge;
• Demotion;
• Suspension;
• Reprimand or other discipline;
• Harassment;
• Hostile work environment;
• Lay-off;
• Transfer to a different job, shift, or location;
• Change in duties or responsibilities; or
• Constructive discharge

If you believe your employer has discriminated against you because you exercised your safety and health rights or engaged in protected activity, you can complete the MOSH Whistleblower Online Complaint Form or download the MOSH Whistleblower Complaint Form (en espanol) (Word). You may also file your complaint in writing with:

Assistant Commissioner for MOSH
Division of Labor and Industry
Maryland Occupational Safety and Health (MOSH)
10946 Golden West Drive
Suite 160
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Phone: 410-527-4499 or 410-527-2094
Fax: 410-527-4481
e-mail: mosh.complaints@maryland.gov
For more information, see How to File a Whistleblower Complaint.

Queja Como Denunciante – [Seguridad y Salud Ocupacional de Maryland] MOSH

2. Las medidas de represalia contra un empleado son prohibidas - Un empleador u otra persona no puede despedir o de otro modo discriminar a un empleado porque el empleado:
1. Presenta una queja bajo o relacionada con este título;
2. Presenta una demanda bajo este título o una denuncia bajo o relacionado con este título o causa que la que la acción o queja sea presentada;
3. Ha testificado o testificará en una acción bajo este título o en una denuncia bajo o relacionado Con este título; o
4. Ejerce, ya sea para sí mismo u otro empleado, un derecho bajo este título.
    
3. Queja por parte de un empleado

1. Un empleado que cree que un empleador u otra persona lo haya despedido o discriminado en violación del artículo (b) de esta sección puede someter una queja al comisionado. La queja puede ser por escrito y debe describir la discriminación e incluir la firma de ese empleado.
2. Un empleado deberá presentar una queja bajo este artículo dentro de 30 días después de la ocurrencia de la supuesta discriminación.

"De otra manera, el discriminado" puede incluir tales acciones como traslados punitivos, sueldo reducido, falta de aumentos de pago o acoso.
"Ejerce... un derecho bajo este título" puede incluir una queja relacionada con:

• Cuestiones de seguridad y salud presentadas ante MOSH.
• La presentación de quejas de seguridad y salud ante la administración.
• El equipo de protección adecuado.
• Las etiquetas y otras formas de advertencia de peligro.
• El acceso a hojas de datos de seguridad material.
• Tener un representante que participa en el recorrido durante una inspección de MOSH.
• Hacer saber a MOSH sobre cualquier condición que usted cree es una violación de una norma de seguridad o salud.
• Ser permitido a ver una citación con una lista de las supuestas violaciones identificadas por un Inspector de MOSH (notificación).
• Negarse a trabajar (bajo unas circunstancias muy limitadas).

Si usted cree que su empleador ha discriminado contra usted porque usted ejerció sus derechos de seguridad y salud, contacte a:
Assistant Commissioner for MOSH
Division of Labor and Industry
Maryland Occupational Safety and Health
10946 Golden West Drive
Suite 160
Hunt Valley, MD 21031
Teléfonos: 410-527-4499 or 410-527-2094
Fax: 410-527-4481
Para más información, vea: Cómo presentar una queja de discriminación.