Employees who refuse to comply with occupational safety and health standards or valid safety and/or health rules implemented by the employer in furtherance of the Act are not exercising any right afforded by the Act and are themselves violating the provisions of the Act (T.C.A. § 50-3-106). Disciplinary measures taken by employers solely in response to employee refusal to comply with appropriate safety and health rules and regulations, will not ordinarily be regarded as discriminatory action prohibited by T.C.A. § 50-3-409. This situation is distinguished from refusals to work as set forth in Rule 0800-1-8-.04(2) and (3).
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs. 0800-01-08-.05
Authority: T.C.A. §§ 50-3-106 and 50-3-409.