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THERE'S JUST ONE MORE IMPORTANT TOPIC TO COVER: WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION.
JUST WHAT IS WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION,
AND WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DRIVER SAFETY?
BASICALLY, WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTION LAWS ARE IN PLACE TO PROTECT YOU FROM RETALIATION-
IF YOU REPORT VEHICLE SAFETY VIOLATIONS TO THE
FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, OR FMCSA.
YOU'RE ALSO PROTECTED IF YOU TESTIFY BEFORE THE FMCSA.
SAFETY LAWS INCLUDES HOURS OF SERVICE REQUIREMENTS,
WHICH WE DISCUSSED EARLIER.
THESE LAWS ARE IMPORTANT FOR OBVIOUS REASONS-
IF THERE ARE UNSAFE OR HAZARDOUS CONDITIONS,
THEY NEED TO BE CORRECTED TO PREVENT INJURY TO YOU OR TO OTHERS.
BUT THEY NEED TO BE BROUGHT TO SOMEONE'S ATTENTION BEFORE THEY CAN BE CORRECTED.
HERE'S HOW IT WORKS:
COMPLAINTS SHOULD BE FILED WITH THE OSHA AREA DIRECTOR IN THE AREA WHERE YOU LIVE OR WORK.
A COMPLAINT SHOULD BE FILED WITHIN 180 DAYS OF WHEN THE DISCRIMINATION OCCURRED.
HOWEVER, THERE ARE SITUATIONS WHERE THE TIME LIMIT WILL BE WAIVED.
CHECK WITH YOUR OSHA AREA DIRECTOR IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT TIMING.
THERE ARE NO SPECIAL FORMS TO USE. JUST SEND A LETTER STATING YOUR SITUATION.
FROM THERE, OSHA WILL PROVIDE A COPY OF THE COMPLAINT TO YOUR EMPLOYER,
PROTECTING YOUR CONFIDENTIALITY, IF NECESSARY.
THEN OSHA WILL GATHER DATA AND GIVE YOUR EMPLOYER 20 DAYS TO RESPOND TO THE COMPLAINT.
IF OSHA FINDS REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE THE VIOLATION IS VALID,
THEY'LL CONTINUE TO PURSUE YOUR CASE UNTIL THE SITUATION IS RESOLVED.
THE WHISTLEBLOWER IS SOMETHING THAT IS REQUIRED
AND NECESSARY BECAUSE OF COMPANIES THAT TAKE SHORTCUTS AND TRY AND CUT CORNERS.
I THINK THEY'RE IMPORTANT FROM THE STANDPOINT THAT DRIVERS WITH CARRIERS,
THE TRUCKING COMPANIES THAT DON'T CARE, AND THEY'RE BEING PUSHED BEYOND THEIR LIMITS
CAN ACTUALLY CALL SOMEONE AND SOMEONE CAN COME IN AND INVESTIGATE THOSE CARRIERS,
WHERE IN THE PAST THAT WASN'T REALLY OUT THERE FOR THE DRIVERS.
SO I THINK TODAY, IT SHOULD GIVE THEM THAT FEELING BEHIND THEMSELVES
THAT THEY KNOW THERE IS ANOTHER AGENCY OUT THERE THAT DOES CARE.
THE MAIN THING TO REMEMBER IS IF YOU'VE GOT A SAFETY CONCERN,
IT'S CRITICAL TO REPORT IT - TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS.