On July 6, 2011 the United States Department of Labor has filed a complaint against Niles Family Dentistry in Niles, Ohio and its owner for hostile treatment of two of its employees in violation of OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Act.

According to a press release issued by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”), the dental practice’s owner, Dr. A. Scott Santucci, reduced the working hours, cursed at, and threatened an employee who had refused to clean up mercury spilled on June 2, and June 4, 2010.  The employee resigned on June 21, 2010, citing a hostile work environment.

Three days later, a dental auxiliary employee resigned as well, citing similar cursing, threatening, and reduced hours, after the employee refused to resume working until the several mercury spills were cleaned by trained and qualified personnel.

“Failing to protect workers from known hazardous substances such as mercury is inexcusable,” Michael Connors, OSHA regional administrator in Chicago, said of the complaint. “Taking retaliatory action against employees for reporting safety concerns in a clear violation of the law.”

Read OSHA’s press release here.