Offshore Oil and Gas Worker Whistleblower Protection Act

Key Points

• This bill prevents offshore oil and gas companies from firing or punishing employees who report safety violations or environmental risks. It covers workers involved in drilling, production, and oil spill cleanup in offshore waters.
• Workers would be legally protected if they refuse to perform a task they reasonably believe could cause an injury or an oil spill. They are also protected if they report injuries, unsafe working conditions, or problems with oil spill response plans.
• If a worker is retaliated against, they can file a complaint with the Department of Labor. If the claim is proven, the employer may be forced to give the worker their job back with double back pay and pay for any legal fees.
• Companies would be required to post notices about these rights in the workplace and provide annual training to all employees. They must also give workers a card with a toll-free number to report issues directly to the government.

Impact Analysis

Govbase has not yet run an impact analysis on this legislation.