Protections Expanded to Workers Who Expose Safety Defects in Imported Consumer Products and Violations of the Consumer Products Safety Act and the Hazardous Substances Acts

 

Washington, D.C. November 8, 2008.  The National Whistleblower Center is sponsoring the first training seminar covering the newly enacted whistleblower protection provisions of the Consumer Product Safety Act of 2008.   The new law contains groundbreaking whistleblower protections covering millions of workers employed in the manufacture, distribution, and sale of consumer goods. The Act contains strong pro-employee provisions, including the right to a trial by jury, compensatory damages and attorney’s fees and costs.

The all-day seminars are being held in the Taft Room at the Willard InterContinental Hotel,
1401 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W. Washington, D.C. on November 21, 2008.  

The new law protects workers who blow the whistle on safety problems in over 15,000 different types of consumer products, including Asbestos, benzene, bicycle helmets, blasting caps, carpets and rugs, caustic or corrosive substances, 
flammable products, 
fabrics, 
fireworks, gasoline, 
toxic substances, 
imported consumer products, lead paint, and 
toys.   The protections extend beyond the Consumer Products Safety Act, an include disclosures concerning violations of the Federal Hazardous Substances Act, the Flammable Fabrics Act, and the Poison Prevention Packaging Act.

This is the first seminar specifically designed to train whistleblowers and their advocates in the mechanics of the Act, and how this law would protect workers who blow the whistle on toxic toys and other dangerous consumer products.    Commencing at 9 a.m., the program consists of four seminars covering all aspects of the new law.  It is designed to assist workers and their lawyers in effectively presenting claims.  CLE credit is available to attorneys.   

To review the full program and faculty click here A registration fee of $495.00 is required, but scholarships are available.  Whistleblowers, students, community activists, and members of the press who wish to attend should contact 
Estelle S. Kohn
  at  202-342-1903 or email her at  ek@whistleblowers.org