The U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration ordered a global marine cargo services company to rehire a seaman who claimed his firing was in retaliation for reporting workplace safety concerns.
OSHA said Thursday it determined the seaman’s March 2021 firing by Maersk Line Ltd. violated the federal Seaman’s Protection Act, which allows workers to report safety concerns directly to the U.S. Coast Guard as opposed to with a company.
In December 2020, the seaman reported numerous safety concerns about the vessel Safmarine Mafadi – a 50,000-ton container ship. He was subsequently suspended and ultimately terminated for not first making the complaint with the company in accordance with policy.
Reported safety concerns included malfunctions with the gear used to release lifeboats in emergencies.
OSHA ordered the company to reinstate the seaman and pay $457,759 in back wages, interest and compensatory damages as well as $250,000 in punitive damages.
The company was also required to revise its policy and not prohibit seamen from contacting the Coast Guard or other federal, state or local regulatory agencies before notifying the company about safety issues.