A U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration whistleblower investigation has concluded that Union Pacific Railroad Co. violated the Federal Railroad Safety Act by removing from service and later terminating a North Little Rock, Arkansas yardman who notified management of nearby lightning and federal safety standards.
OSHA determined that the employee voiced concerns about nearby lightning, cited OSHA and NOAA lightening safety guidelines, initiated a safety stand-down, and refused to work until the storm passed.
Within minutes of the stand-down, Union Pacific removed the employee from service and was later charged with insubordination. Union Pacific terminated his employment on May 30, 2024.
On June 10, 2026, OSHA ordered Union Pacific to remove from the employee’s employment records any reference of the incident, and pay back wages, lost benefits, compensatory and punitive damages totaling at least $304,869, and attorney’s fees. Union Pacific filed objections to OSHA’s order and has requested a hearing before a U.S. Department of Labor Administrative Law Judge.
Source: Department of Labor
Was this article valuable?
Here are more articles you may enjoy.
Takeaways From AP Analysis on the Flaws in National Flood Insurance 
State Farm to Increase Claims Workforce by 3,000 
Viewpoint: State Socialism Meets Insurance 
Full Senate Passes Measure to Reauthorize Federal Terrorism Insurance Backstop 
