Question

An award of up to what amount may be paid to a person supplying information that leads to a penalty against a technician who is intentionally venting?

a.) $5,000
b.) $10,000
c.) $27,000
d.) $37,000

Answer 1

An award of up to $10,000 may be paid for information leading to a penalty against technicians intentionally venting harmful substances. This financial incentive is designed to enforce environmental standards much like the way OSHA imposes fines for safety violations in the workplace.

Step-by-step explanation:

An award of up to $10,000 may be paid to a person supplying information that leads to a penalty against a technician who is intentionally venting. This incentive is designed to discourage the harmful practice of releasing substances that may degrade air quality and contribute to environmental issues such as ozone depletion or climate change. In much the same way that setting a pollution charge incentivizes firms to reduce emissions to avoid higher costs, financial rewards for whistleblowers aim to enhance compliance with environmental regulations by providing individuals a monetary motive to report violations.

When handling violations of standards set by regulatory agencies like OSHA, penalties can vary significantly based on the severity of the infraction and other factors. Citing OSHA's model, the maximum fine for serious violations can be $7,000, capping at $70,000 for repeat or willful violations. These fines serve as a deterrent to unsafe practices in the workplace and to ensure adherence to established safety guidelines. While the numbers differ, the principle remains the same for environmental violations, where substantial penalties are imposed to ensure compliance and protection of the environment.