July 13, 2010

Bill would protect whistleblowers in offshore drilling industry

By Deborah Barfield Berry  |  The Town Talk  |  Link to article

WASHINGTON — Offshore oil workers would be protected against retaliation if they tell on companies that break the law or violate safety rules, under legislation that Rep. Charles Melancon introduced Tuesday, July 13.

Melancon, D-La., cited recent testimony from two widows who said their husbands had privately expressed safety concerns about the Deepwater Horizon oil rig.

Eleven workers were killed when the rig exploded and sank April 20, leaving the underwater well pouring oil into the Gulf of Mexico.

Melancon said “those 11 people might still be with us’’ and the Gulf Coast region “might not be going through this traumatic episode’’ if the workers with concerns had felt free to express them publicly.

The federal whistleblower law that protects workers who complain about safety conditions is too broad, said Melancon. He said his proposal would focus on offshore drilling workers.

The bill doesn’t have other co-sponsors yet. Democratic and Republican lawmakers, who have launched investigations into the explosion, have raised concerns about safety on rigs.

“We need to hold these companies accountable,’’ Melancon said.