Posted by Sharon on 1/11/10

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CORPUS CHRISTI — A former employee of Corpus Christi-based
Orion Drilling Co. was paid $10,000 in back wages as a
result of a settlement with the U.S. Department of Labor.

The employee was fired after complaining to management
about being exposed to mold in the workplace. Officials
with the Department of Labor officials and Orion couldn’t
be reached for comment.

The department does not release the names of employees
involved in whistle-blower complaints. A news release
issued Monday did not list when the events took place.

The employee, who served as a crew member on a drilling
rig, complained of mold in the crew’s living quarters.
After being fired, he filed a complaint with the
department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration
alleging a violation of the whistle-blower provisions.

An OSHA investigation found merit to the complaint and
referred the case to the department’s Office of the
Solicitor for enforcement. Orion chose to settle the case.

In addition to paying back wages, Orion also must post a
notice in the workplace informing employees of their rights
under the Occupational Health and Safety Act of 1970 and
purge all derogatory or negative statements from the former
employee’s personnel file.

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