Caller.com: Orion Drilling pays $10,000 in back wages

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CORPUS CHRISTI — A former employee of Corpus Christi-based Orion Drilling

Co. was paid $10,000 in back wages as a result of a settlement with the

U.S. Department of Labor.

The employee was fired after complaining to management about being exposed

to mold in the workplace. Officials with the Department of Labor officials

and Orion couldn’t be reached for comment.

The department does not release the names of employees involved in

whistle-blower complaints. A news release issued Monday did not list when the

events took place.

The employee, who served as a crew member on a drilling rig, complained of

mold in the crew’s living quarters. After being fired, he filed a complaint

with the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration

alleging a violation of the whistle-blower provisions.

An OSHA investigation found merit to the complaint and referred the case to

the department’s Office of the Solicitor for enforcement. Orion chose to

settle the case.

In addition to paying back wages, Orion also must post a notice in the

workplace informing employees of their rights under the Occupational Health and

Safety Act of 1970 and purge all derogatory or negative statements from

the former employee’s personnel file.