The U.S. Office of Special Counsel has largely substantiated whistleblower complaints of unsafe working conditions at the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s largest research facility that were filed by members of the American Federation of Government Employees.
In May 2023, three USDA employees who hold leadership roles at AFGE Local 3147 filed a whistleblower complaint with OSC, disclosing that leadership at the Beltsville Agricultural Research Center in Maryland had put workers at risk and undermined their scientific experiments by failing to properly maintain the worksite. Just a month later, OSC found a “substantial likelihood of wrongdoing” by the agency and ordered then-USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack to conduct an investigation into the AFGE members’ allegations and report back to OSC within 60 days.
“The agency investigation largely substantiated the whistleblowers’ allegations, finding pervasive safety deficiencies in many of the facilities and structures at BARC, including a general lack of housekeeping; excessive dirt and grime; flaking and peeling paint; damaged flooring; active and post flooding and other water intrusions; mold; and a lack of potable water,” OSC said in a June 25 report to President Trump.
Remediation actions were stymied by a lack of operation and maintenance plans, failure to provide employees with the necessary tools and equipment to make repairs, inadequate staffing, poor communication, and the lack of essential training for facilities...
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