OSHA Orders Trucking Company to Stop Retaliating Against Sick, Tired Drivers
Oak Harbor Freight Lines has been ordered to comply with federal safety rules.
OSHA has ordered Oak Harbor Freight Lines Inc. to stop retaliating against truck drivers who refuse to drive while sick and tired for the second time, according to an agency news release.
This comes after Oak Harbor suspended a truck operator without pay at its Portland, Ore., terminal after he did not feel well enough to drive. The driver then filed a whistleblower complaint, citing violations of the Surface Transportation Safety Act.
"Forcing ill or tired drivers behind the wheel puts their lives and the lives of others at risk," said Ken Atha, OSHA regional administrator in Seattle. "Oak Harbor's continued refusal to revise its attendance policy shows a reckless and callous indifference to employees' rights and public safety."