Pipe manufacturer sued by DOL for violating federal whistleblower protections

According to a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Tyler Pipe Company allegedly fired an employee for requesting to use a respirator for protection. The department claims that the company’s actions violated federal whistleblower protections. OSHA investigated Tyler Pipe Company after the termination in 2022 and concluded that the worker was fired for exercising their right to request personal protective equipment. The aim of the lawsuit is to force the company to “make the employee whole” for the retaliation.

In a recent quote, OSHA Regional Administrator Eric S. Harbin said, “Every worker is empowered with the right to speak up if they are concerned about their safety or that of others. Rather than fulfilling their responsibility to provide a safe and healthy workplace, Tyler Pipe Company terminated an employee who raised safety concerns and that is unacceptable.”