TEXAS OSHA LAW

Surface Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Protects truck drivers and carrier employees who report transportation safety or hours-of-service violations.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A driver refuses to falsify logbooks and is terminated for “poor attitude.”
2. A mechanic reports a defective braking system that was ignored by dispatch and is reassigned.
3. A driver alerts DOT to illegal cargo overloading and loses future route assignments.
4. A dispatcher reports fatigue-related accidents being covered up and is demoted.
5. A transport employee refuses to drive a truck with leaking fuel lines and is fired.

Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers railroad employees reporting safety or security issues.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A conductor reports a defective track switch and is suspended.
2. A signal inspector reports falsified inspection logs and is reassigned.
3. An engineer refuses to operate an engine with brake failure and is disciplined.
4. A yard worker reports a coworker’s injury and is demoted for “carelessness.”
5. A locomotive mechanic alerts FRA to repeated safety violations and is fired.

National Transit Systems Security Act (NTSSA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers public transportation and transit employees.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A metro bus operator reports faulty brakes and is removed from the schedule.
2. A subway technician reports fire suppression failures and is reprimanded.
3. A rail operator refuses to drive during a radio outage and is suspended.
4. A maintenance employee reports exposed electrical wiring and is demoted.
5. A transit supervisor reports vandalism and fare evasion risks and is reassigned.

Wendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act (AIWendell H. Ford Aviation Investment and Reform Act for the 21st Century (AIR21) | Whistleblower Protection ProgramR21): Protects airline employees who report air-safety violations.
Deadline: 90 days
Examples:

1. A pilot reports falsified flight logs and is placed on indefinite leave.
2. A mechanic refuses to sign off on incomplete aircraft repairs and is fired.
3. A flight attendant reports oxygen system failures and is grounded.
4. A baggage handler reports unsafe loading practices and is reassigned.
5. An airline employee reports falsified FAA maintenance records and is terminated.

Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA) | Whistleblower Protection ProgramPipeline Saety Improvement Act (PSIA): Protects pipeline operators and contractors who report violations.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A field inspector reports a corroded pipe seam and is terminated.
2. A supervisor alerts PHMSA to unreported pressure test failures and is demoted.
3. A contractor refuses to ignore leak-detection alarms and is removed from the job.
4. A technician reports falsified safety audits and is blacklisted.
5. A maintenance employee reports oil spills being concealed and is suspended.

Energy Reorganization Act (ERA): Covers nuclear energy workers reporting safety or regulatory violations.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A reactor operator reports coolant pump malfunctions and is fired.
2. A radiation tech refuses to falsify contamination readings and is reassigned.
3. A QA manager alerts the NRC to unqualified weld inspectors and is demoted.
4. A security officer reports falsified badge logs and is suspended.
5. A nuclear engineer reports waste disposal violations and is blacklisted.

Clean Air Act (CAA): Covers air-quality and emissions whistleblowing.
Deadline: 30 days
Examples:

1. A refinery employee reports illegal emissions bypassing scrubbers and is fired.
2. A chemical engineer refuses to falsify EPA compliance tests and is demoted.
3. A plant worker reports unreported flaring events and is reassigned.
4. A lab technician alerts authorities about falsified particulate testing data.
5. A manager reports air-monitor tampering and is removed from leadership.

Federal Water Pollution Control Act (Clean Water Act/FWPCA): Protects employees reporting illegal discharges or water contamination.
Deadline: 30 days
Examples:

1. A wastewater treatment worker reports raw sewage discharge and is fired.
2. A lab analyst reports altered BOD test results and is demoted.
3. A field tech alerts EPA to unpermitted stormwater outfalls.
4. A supervisor refuses to dump untreated wastewater and is replaced.
5. A maintenance worker reports chemical spills into a river and is suspended.

Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA): Protects employees reporting contamination or violations in water systems.
Deadline: 30 days
Examples:

1. A water plant operator reports E. coli contamination and is terminated.
2. A chemist refuses to falsify chlorine residual results and is reassigned.
3. A maintenance employee reports failing filtration systems and is demoted.
4. A supervisor alerts state authorities to hidden contamination and is suspended.
5. A municipal worker reports unlicensed testing and is disciplined.

Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA): Covers toxic-chemical handling and reporting.
Deadline: 30 days
Examples:

1. A chemical plant worker reports mislabeled barrels of PCBs and is fired.
2. A QA chemist reports unregistered substances being produced and is demoted.
3. A researcher alerts EPA about unlawful testing practices and is reassigned.
4. A technician refuses to ignore MSDS errors and is disciplined.
5. A warehouse supervisor reports missing toxic inventory and is terminated.

Solid Waste Disposal Act (SWDA): Covers waste disposal, landfill, and hazardous materials employees.
Deadline: 30 days
Examples:

1. A landfill worker reports illegal dumping of medical waste.
2. A hauler reports containers leaking hazardous material and is fired.
3. A plant operator refuses to burn prohibited waste and is demoted.
4. A driver alerts EPA to improper waste manifesting and is blacklisted.
5. A lab tech reports falsified hazardous waste reports and is reassigned.

Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA): Protects workers involved in hazardous waste cleanup and reporting.
Deadline: 30 days
Examples:

1. A cleanup contractor reports improper asbestos removal.
2. A field tech reports falsified sampling results and is demoted.
3. A project manager refuses to dispose of waste illegally and is terminated.
4. A lab analyst reports unreported contamination at a Superfund site.
5. A subcontractor alerts the EPA about falsified site-remediation data.

Sarbanes-Oxley Act (SOX) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers employees of publicly traded companies reporting financial misconduct.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A financial analyst reports falsified quarterly statements.
2. An accountant refuses to backdate stock options and is demoted.
3. An auditor reports off-book liabilities and is fired.
4. A compliance officer alerts the SEC to insider trading.
5. A controller reports concealment of executive loans and is terminated.

Affordable Care Act (ACA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Protects employees in healthcare and insurance industries.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A nurse reports Medicare overbilling.
2. A hospital worker reports retaliatory scheduling after requesting medical leave.
3. A claims processor reports denial of care for preexisting conditions.
4. A clinic manager alerts authorities to unlicensed medical staff.
5. An employee refuses to falsify patient data and is demoted.

FDA Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers food production, packaging, and distribution workers.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A food plant worker reports Listeria contamination and is fired.
2. A packaging employee alerts the FDA to unreported allergen risks.
3. A QA tech refuses to sign off on falsified microbial test results.
4. A truck driver reports spoilage during transit and is demoted.
5. A line supervisor reports improper sanitation and is blacklisted.

Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (CFPA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers consumer-finance employees.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A loan processor reports illegal repossession practices.
2. A credit bureau employee reports inaccurate data being sold.
3. A mortgage worker reports discriminatory lending rates.
4. A collections agent reports deceptive credit repair tactics.
5. A compliance officer refuses to conceal consumer complaints.

Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act (AHERA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers asbestos inspection and abatement personnel.
Deadline: 90 days
Examples:

1. A school inspector reports fake asbestos removal certificates.
2. A contractor reports unsealed asbestos waste in dumpsters.
3. A project manager alerts OSHA to unsafe abatement practices.
4. A maintenance worker reports untrained staff removing asbestos.
5. A QA inspector refuses to certify noncompliant containment areas.

International Safe Container Act (ISCA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers maritime and cargo employees.
Deadline: 60 days
Examples:

1. A container inspector reports corroded container walls ignored by supervisors.
2. A longshoreman reports mislabeled hazardous cargo.
3. A shipping clerk refuses to falsify weight manifests.
4. A crane operator reports unsafe stacking of containers and is suspended.
5. A maritime employee reports expired container certifications.

Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers automotive manufacturers, suppliers, and dealers.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A dealership technician reports defective brake lines and is fired.
2. An engineer reports concealment of airbag malfunctions.
3. A mechanic alerts NHTSA about unaddressed recalls.
4. A QA analyst refuses to sign off on incomplete recall repairs.
5. A parts supplier employee reports falsified testing results.

Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act (CPSIA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Broadly covers consumer safety and retail employees.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A warehouse manager reports unsafe electrical devices being shipped.
2. A retailer employee reports injuries linked to a recalled appliance.
3. A safety engineer reports suppressed lab testing data.
4. A distribution worker reports product labeling fraud.
5. A packaging designer reports missing warning labels on children’s products.

Anti-Money Laundering Act (AMLA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers financial-sector employees who report money laundering or BSA violations.
Deadline: 180 days
Examples:

1. A compliance officer reports suspicious wire transfers ignored by management.
2. A bank analyst refuses to falsify KYC (Know Your Customer) data.
3. A teller reports structured cash deposits and is demoted.
4. A finance employee alerts FinCEN about noncompliant customer screening.
5. A broker reports internal laundering schemes and is fired.

Criminal Antitrust Anti-Retaliation Act (CAARA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers employees, contractors, and agents who report criminal antitrust violations, such as price-fixing, bid-rigging, or market allocation. Protects workers who report the issues internally or to the federal government.
Deadline: 180 days

Examples:

1. A sales employee reports price-fixing discussions between the company and a competitor.
2. A procurement worker reports a bid-rigging scheme to the DOJ and is later demoted.
3. A regional manager refuses to join a market-allocation plan and is fired.
4. An analyst reports collusion in supplier pricing and is removed from key accounts.
5. A contractor alerts leadership to illegal agreements affecting product pricing and is denied renewal of their contract.

Seaman’s Protection Act (SPA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers seamen and maritime workers on vessels.
Deadline: 180 days

Examples:

1. A crew member reports safety violations on a vessel — such as unsafe equipment or overloaded cargo — to the appropriate authority, then is fired.
2. A sailor refuses to carry out a job because doing so would create a serious danger, and afterward is demoted.
3. A seaman reports sexual harassment or assault on board, and then suffers discrimination or is forced off the ship.
4. A maritime employee notifies the vessel owner or federal authorities of a work-related injury or illness, then is denied re-hire or is laid off.
5. A seaman cooperates with a safety investigation after a marine accident — or reports a marine casualty — and is subsequently reassigned or stripped of overtime.

Taxpayer First Act (TFA) | Whistleblower Protection Program: Covers employees (and contractors/subcontractors/agents) who report suspected tax fraud, underpayment of taxes, or other violations of federal tax laws.
Deadline: 180 days

Examples:

1. A company accountant reports to the IRS that the employer is underreporting revenue, then gets demoted.
2. A payroll clerk flags false deductions or fraud, reports it internally or to federal authorities, and is fired.
3. A tax-department employee alerts management that the employer is filing false tax returns, then is threatened or harassed.
4. A contractor working for a business reports tax-fraud indicators to the IRS, and afterwards is denied a contract renewal.
5. An employee refuses to participate in preparing deceptive tax filings, reports the issue, and is suspended or disciplined.