A Florence-based trucking company has been ordered to reinstate a driver who was fired last year after refusing to drive in hazardous road conditions, officials said Friday.

In January 2018, the unnamed driver had refused to drive "in hazardous road conditions caused by inclement winter weather," according to officials with the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. He drove a "box truck," officials said.

The driver told management of the company, Freight Rite, that he was concerned about "danger to himself and to the general public," OSHA said in a news release.

OSHA found that the firing violated federal law and ordered the company to pay the driver $31,569 in back wages and $150,000 in damages. Freight Rite is also barred from retaliating against the employee.

His personnel file will be cleared of any reference to the issues involved in the investigation, the news release said. The company must also post a notice informing all employees of their whistleblower protections.

“Forcing drivers to operate a commercial motor vehicle during inclement weather places their lives and the lives of others at risk,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Kurt Petermeyer. “This order underscores the agency’s commitment to protect workers who exercise their right to ensure the safety of themselves and the general public.”