Railroad Faces Penalties for Firing Worker Who Halted Operations During Storm
The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA division determined that Union Pacific Railroad illegally terminated a North Little Rock yardman after he refused to work during a lightning storm and cited federal safety guidelines. The employee initiated a safety stand-down, citing OSHA and NOAA lightning safety standards, and was removed from service within minutes. In June 2026, OSHA ordered Union Pacific to expunge employment records of the incident, restore the employee's work history, and pay back wages, benefits, and damages totaling at least $304,869 plus attorney's fees.
The U.S. Department of Labor's OSHA division determined that Union Pacific Railroad illegally terminated a North Little Rock yardman after he refused to work during a lightning storm and cited federal safety guidelines. The employee initiated a safety stand-down, citing OSHA and NOAA lightning safety standards, and was removed from service within minutes. In June 2026, OSHA ordered Union Pacific to expunge employment records of the incident, restore the employee's work history, and pay back wages, benefits, and damages totaling at least $304,869 plus attorney's fees. Union Pacific has filed objections and requested a hearing before a Department of Labor Administrative Law Judge.
Quick recap
- Employee refused to work during lightning storm and cited OSHA/NOAA safety guidelines
- Union Pacific removed employee from service and later terminated him for insubordination
- OSHA ordered company to pay $304,869+ in back wages, benefits, and damages
- Union Pacific filed objections and requested hearing before Administrative Law Judge
Full article
Read the full story at Department Of Labor News
Originally published as “US Labor Department finds railroad illegally terminated employee who refused to work during severe weather” on Oct 1, 2026. This page is Scaffold Exchange’s summary; the reporting is theirs.
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