What action is employers prohibited from taking against workers who exercise their OSHA rights?

Employers are prohibited from discriminating against workers who exercise their rights under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations. This protection is critical to ensuring that employees can report unsafe working conditions or refuse to engage in unsafe work without fear of retaliation. Discrimination can include actions such as firing, demoting, or any other adverse employment actions taken because an employee has asserted their rights related to workplace safety.

The purpose of this protection is to promote a safe work environment and allow employees to voice concerns about safety without the risk of losing their job or facing other negative consequences. This foundational principle encourages workers to participate in keeping their workplace safe by removing barriers that might prevent them from doing so. Other choices, such as acting in their best interest, providing additional training, or ignoring complaints, do not align with the essence of OSHA's protections, as they do not directly address the rights of the workers in terms of seeking safety and health standards.