DOL Orders Reinstatement of Worker Fired Over Safety Concerns
Strasburg Rail Road Co. must reinstate and compensate an employee wrongfully fired for refusing to issue safety licenses to an unqualified manager.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jan 23, 2025
The U.S. Department of Labor has ordered Strasburg Rail Road Co., a Pennsylvania tourist railroad operator, to reinstate and compensate a former employee who was wrongfully terminated for raising safety concerns.
According to a recent release, an OSHA investigation found that the company fired the worker after they refused to issue locomotive and conductor licenses to a management official who lacked the necessary qualifications. OSHA determined the dismissal violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA), which protects employees who report safety or regulatory concerns.
“The OSHA investigation found Strasburg Rail Road Co. wrongfully terminated the employee for exercising their protected right to raise safety concerns,” OSHA Regional Administrator Michael Rivera in Philadelphia said in a statement. “This case underscores the critical importance of protecting workers who prioritize safety and comply with federal regulations. Retaliation against employees who stand up for safety will not be tolerated.”
The employee will receive $161,114 in back wages and interest, $10,000 in compensatory damages and $50,000 in punitive damages. The DOL’s order also requires Strasburg Rail Road Co. to remove any incident record from the employee’s personnel file.
Chartered in 1832, Strasburg Rail Road Co. is the oldest continuously operating railroad in the United States. The company operates five steam locomotives and offers scenic tours through Lancaster County’s Amish Country.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.