On March 1, 2012, OSHA announced a change to its organizational structure related to its Whistleblower Protection Program (WPP). The WPP will now report directly to the Assistant Secretary of OSHA, currently Dr. David Michaels, instead of the Director of the Directorate of Enforcement Programs.
The WPP is in charge of investigating workplace retaliation complaints made by employees under a variety of statutes, including the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. The reorganization is just the latest in a series of steps taken by the Department of Labor to strengthen the WPP. The move is described by the Department as representing a "significantly elevated priority status" for whistleblower enforcement.
For more information regarding the reorganization, click here.