Reference no: EM132403583

Whirlpool operated a manufacturing facility that used overhead conveyors to transport parts around the plant. Because the parts sometimes fell from the overhead conveyor belt, Whirlpool installed a wire screen below the conveyor belts to catch them. Maintenance workers were required to retrieve fallen parts from the screen, which was about 20 feet above the floor of the plant. On two occasions, maintenance fell through the screen onto the floor. One of the workers was killed by the fall. Shortly thereafter, Virgil Deemer and Thomas Cornwell asked that the screen be repaired. When repairs were not made, these men filed a complaint with a federal agency overseeing safety in the workplace. The next day they were told by their supervisor to climb out onto the screen to retrieve fallen parts. When they refused they were sent home without pay. Was their violation of their duty of obedience?