OSHA Orders BNSF Railway to Reinstate Injured Workers

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has ordered BNSF Railway to reinstate two workers in Montana and Wyoming after determining they were illegally fired when they reported they were injured at work.

OSHA said Monday that BSNF violated whistleblower portions of the Federal Railroad Safety Act when it fired an employee in Greybull, Wyoming, in 2010, and another in Havre, Montana, in 2011.

The firings came weeks after the men reported work-related back injuries.

OSHA ordered BSNF to reinstate both employees with back pay and interest, pay $6,000 in damages to each, and reasonable attorney’s fees. It estimated the total payout at $526,000.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based railroad says it will appeal OSHA’s rulings.