OSHA Whistleblower to Receive Award

By Katie Hauser

Published on October 23, 2006

In 2002, Finkel revealed that a large number of OSHA employees were exposed to beryllium, a highly toxic metal known to cause a potentially fatal lung disease. He went on to oppose a measure suggested by John Henshaw, assistant labor secretary at the time, that would not have required that individuals potentially exposed to beryllium be informed of the danger they faced.

Though Finkel was removed from his position with OSHA as a result of his complaints, the publication of his concerns led to the implementation of a medical monitoring program for all current OSHA inspectors, many of whom have now been found to display sensitivity to beryllium.

Finkel now holds faculty positions at Princeton University and the New Jersey University of Medicine and Dentistry in environmental and occupational health.

Finkel will be presented with his award by the American Public Health Association, a private agency, in Boston this November.

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