Be thankful he only called OSHA. I was the project engineer on a federally funded highway project about 3 years ago. The contractor had hired a foreman, he quit w/o notice after about 3 weeks. He then (we found out later) called FWHA and reported the engineer allowed the contractor to build a bridge deck w/o all the rebar specified. The bridge was on an adjacent project by the same contractor, the employee never worked on that project.
The feds showed up unannounced (we were called told we could meet them on the job in 1/2 hour if we wanted to be present for the initial investigation, that was the first we heard of the investigation). and played "detective" on and off for about 2 months. They had the state "x-ray" the deck and then drill holes to verify the steel was all there (it was). (My boss was pissed that they drilled holes in a brand new bridge deck
). They went thru all the inspectors reports, concrete tickets, rebar certs, payrolls you name it. All on the accusations of an ex employee (3 weeks in tenure) that never worked on the project in question.
The contractor had "dropped" a concrete I-beam about 18 inches to the bridge seat when setting it (Crane brake slipped?). We had the beam inspected for damage by the beam producer and testing company. They found no damage so we reset it. The foreman had heard the story somehow and made the allegation that we had used a damaged beam. (It was the same bridge we supposedly left some of the steel out) Fortunately, I had a report from the producer and testers and it was in the file.
Not a fun experience.
