OSHA and whistle blowing

[odinartcollectables]

I was terminated as a result of mentioning safty issues at the work place. One safety concern was accident related, but nobody was hurt, but does concern some EPA law to a minor degree. The other was minor.

When I was terminated only one work day later, Under MN law, I asked the truthful reasons be put in writing was why they terminated me. They distorted the truth somewhat, but the results were the same, I complained about safety issues and I was terminated.

I filed with MN OSHA and FED within time limits explaining my case with written evidence.

The question Begins when and OSHA investigator called and said Whistle blowing is not coverd under OSHA. Which I heard they may or may not take Whistleblowing. But I followed the rules and filed with OSHA. Does this whistleblowing complaint get forwarded automatically to DOL?

Secondly, when he called he told me that he had not done any investigations yet, but was asking for a settlment offer to the defendants. I thought that was odd and looked that up to verify this was correct procedure. I found the flow chart that OSHA, AHERE, ISCA, STAA, ERA, AIR21, EPA's are all supposed to follow during a whistle blowing case. Is that correct that he can skip correct porcedures since OSHA is not covering the Whistleblowing end, or should he follow the procedure regardless?

I would hate to go to court and have the case thrown out do to procedure.

Thanks for your time

Brad at Odin Art & Collectables

Who is discussing the settlement figure with you, the OSHA person?

The person asking for settlement is the investigator assigned to the case.

I found out that a settlement could be offered regardless of discovery by the labor laws.

Do you think it is slightly un-ethical to ask for a settle from both parties before investigation has begun and from the investigator? Or is he just protecting the interests of OHSA?