OSHA releases new whistle-blower manual

WASHINGTON—The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Wednesday it has released a new edition of its Whistleblower Investigations Manual, which is one of a series of measures to improve its Whistleblower Protection Program that were announced in August.

OSHA said the manual provides information on new laws enacted since it was last updated in 2003, as well as other information to guide the protection program, which addresses retaliation complaints under 21 whistle-blower statues delegated to OSHA.

Changes in the manual include:

• A requirement that investigators make every effort to interview the complainant in all cases.

• Clarifications that whistle-blower complaints can be filed orally or in writing and in every language, and that the agency also will accept electronically filed complaints.

• Additional clarifications of the investigative process, including method and recording of interviews.

• New chapters for processing complaints filed under various acts.

• Expanded guidance on dealing with uncooperative respondents and issuing subpoenas.

The manual is available at www.osha.gov.