November 30, 2009
Whistle-Blowing?
g asked:
I have an awful conflict. I work in auto-salvage/recycling. Some refer to my place of business as an auto grave-yard, bone-yard – a junk yard – but it is a more vital business than most realize – to the economy, and to our environment. I love my job. I've only been there for about 3 months. However, there are violations occuring on a daily basis – by health/safety and environmental standards. Every day, motor oil, antifreeze, gear-oils, transmission, brake, power-steering fluids, among other toxins, are spilled. I am not speaking of drips or leaks. There are literally gallons of haz-mats being spilled. The proper, and full, draining and containment that is supposed to occur – is not occuring. Attempts are made, to clean-up, but I am sure it is not enough. I have been doused several times. 2 days have not passed (I don't recall 1 day) that I have not been cut – bled – most usually on the hands/arms – yesterday a co-worker got 10 stitches. Can I anonymously report this?
The business is owned by a big corporation – daily sales average $20-$30,000.
Auto Salvage Atlanta
I have an awful conflict. I work in auto-salvage/recycling. Some refer to my place of business as an auto grave-yard, bone-yard – a junk yard – but it is a more vital business than most realize – to the economy, and to our environment. I love my job. I've only been there for about 3 months. However, there are violations occuring on a daily basis – by health/safety and environmental standards. Every day, motor oil, antifreeze, gear-oils, transmission, brake, power-steering fluids, among other toxins, are spilled. I am not speaking of drips or leaks. There are literally gallons of haz-mats being spilled. The proper, and full, draining and containment that is supposed to occur – is not occuring. Attempts are made, to clean-up, but I am sure it is not enough. I have been doused several times. 2 days have not passed (I don't recall 1 day) that I have not been cut – bled – most usually on the hands/arms – yesterday a co-worker got 10 stitches. Can I anonymously report this?
The business is owned by a big corporation – daily sales average $20-$30,000.
Auto Salvage Atlanta
Filed under auto salvage atlanta by .
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Comments on Whistle-Blowing?
7:57 pm
Auto Salvage Atlanta
can you???? of course you can
just call the environmental health dept
4:38 pm
Auto Salvage Atlanta
definitely. Contact your local Office of Business and Consumer Affairs, they'll take the info off you and investigate the site without you even needing to give them an initial, dont say that you're an employee there though.
4:37 pm
Auto Salvage Atlanta
Of course…do it. Please do it. You need to find a different job after you report them. It is too dangerous for you.
7:12 pm
Auto Salvage Atlanta
You can – and should – report this. Often times, depending on the laws of your state, you are REQUIRED to report environmental and safety issues to the appropriate government agency.
Do it anonymously. At least tip off the appropriate government agency in your state that there's an issue.
9:17 pm
Auto Salvage Atlanta
Look in any information given to you by your employer. If you work for a larger company, they should give you information about reporting such things. If not, I would contact the police and anonymously inform them that you think safety is not up to standards at a local business. If not the police, you might be able to contact a city or county official. The condition sounds serious, and it's important that you contact someone about it. Good luck!
6:19 pm
Auto Salvage Atlanta
I would. Anonymously is the way to go, especially if you like your job…but once the Dept. of Health or Environmental Protection arrives, don't act nervous or surprised, and make sure that you can't be blamed for something. There are ways to operate that kind of business safely and without doing major harm to the environment. The owner is probably more concerned with making money.
12:57 am
Auto Salvage Atlanta
Of course you can and should.
I am the creator of Woodsy the Owl so I would personally appreciate your help.
Heres some information to help:
6:53 pm
Auto Salvage Atlanta
Talk to your boss,if you don't like working there,quit.Apparently this happens everywhere,so snitching wont change anything.
4:31 am
Auto Salvage Atlanta
Yes. Here is a link:
…jj
3:40 am
Auto Salvage Atlanta
The EPA has a website where you can anonamously(sp?) fill out a form, then they review it for any action they might take, which they probably will. OSHA probably has a website too , you can try them. These things DO work, i reported my neighbor to the EPA cause he was running a construction co. out of his front yard and directing his own dump truck drivers to dump jobsite waste in his backyard as if it was a public landfill. Funny , everything is all quiet now on my street. LOL!
5:43 pm
Auto Salvage Atlanta
I'm going to assume you are in the US. You can report the environmental issues to the federal EPA and the safety conditions to OSHA or the state OSH office if the state where you are located has an approved state plan.
One of my clients is a big auto recycler and I have been through their location several times, and I am horrified each time I go. They have the environmental practices down but seem unable to tackle the training necessary to increase worker safety.
There are whistleblower laws that protect people who turn in their bosses to OSHA and EPA, provided the complaints are legitimate. However, if you have mentioned this idea of calling the feds to any of your coworkers the chances are if the company is shut down until improvements are made or it is hit with a big fine (EPA fines can cripple a company) someone will rat you out. And even under the whistleblower protection if you are found out I guarantee your bosses will begin finding reasons to write you up and get you out. Plus if you have a system of incentive bonuses and that is jeopardized because if the fines they company will have to pay I promise your coworkers will want to retaliate.
So play it safe and keep your idea of calling OSHA to yourself, both before AND after reporting the complaint(s).
I've attached links to the OSHA and EPA website. From there you can find the state you are in and locate the nearest environmental and OSH office for your area and the procedures for reporting.