DOL Alleges Chemical Manufacturer Retaliated After Worker Raised Safety Concerns — Occupational Health & Safety

DOL Alleges Chemical Manufacturer Retaliated After Worker Raised Safety Concerns

Avenger Products LLC terminated the employee following complaints of chemical exposure.

• By Robert Yaniz Jr.
• Mar 22, 2024

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has taken legal action against a Lawrenceville-based pesticide and agricultural chemical manufacturer, accusing the company of unlawfully terminating an employee who filed a safety complaint. 

According to a release dated March 18, the employee’s termination followed complaints about safety hazards related to chemical exposures in the workplace, as revealed by a whistleblower investigation conducted by OSHA. The agency alleges that Avenger Products terminated the worker for exercising their rights. 

“The employer’s actions toward this worker and its response to concerns about the potential chemical exposure hazards to their workers are alarming,” OSHA Assistant Regional Administrator Lily Colón in Atlanta said in a statement. “No worker should fear punishment by their employer for reporting legitimate safety and health concerns, and OSHA will work to vigorously defend courageous people like this employee.”

The DOL now demands Avenger Products LLC and its parent company, Kittrich Corp., compensate the employee with back pay —as well as compensatory and punitive damages—and forbids future retaliation. Notably, Avenger Products LLC’s history with OSHA includes 40 citations and proposed penalties of $254,189 from 2018 to 2019.