Worried About Working Conditions? How to Report Hazards to Your Employer
While some jobs are undoubtedly more dangerous than others, every worker is at risk of injury if their work environment is not well monitored and regularly inspected. From the dangers associated with operating heavy equipment through to simply tripping over exposed wires in an office environment, everywhere has the potential to present a serious hazard.
Whatever line of work you are in, you and your colleagues all have a duty of care to each other to report any unsafe conditions as soon as you become aware of them. If you are concerned about dangerous conditions in your place of work, you should take the following steps:
- Bring hazardous conditions to the attention of your employer
It is your employer’s legal responsibility to keep your workplace safe. Often employers want to put things right for their benefit as much as yours, but in some cases, they may be resistant. If you raised a legitimate concern but you feel like nothing is being done to correct the situation, you should consider taking the matter further.
- Speak to Your Colleagues
Sometimes employers will take a complaint about poor conditions or potential hazards more seriously if concerns are raised by more than one person. Strength in numbers may be the way to see changes made.
- Speak to your union
If there is a union that represents your profession, you should speak to a steward or member of the safety committee to make them aware of your concerns. They will contact your employer about your complaint turn. Your union will have experience of dealing with employers who are resistant to changes and the legal power of the union should help protect you from retaliation for taking action against your employer.
- Raise A Complaint With OSHA
The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) is designed to protect workers from workplace hazards that might pose a risk of serious harm. If your initial action and contact with your Union has not rectified the situation and their recommended response time has passed, you can raise an anonymous complaint with OSHA.
What Will OSHA Do?
OSHA offers several protections to employees including the right to ask the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to conduct an inspection of the worksite for potential hazards, as well as the right to receive the results of tests to determine which hazards exist.
Workers are also entitled to receive information and training about hazards they might encounter on in their place of work and what they can do to protect themselves from them. Personal protective equipment should always be provided by the employer, and workers should be instructed on how to properly use all the same.
Every worker deserves the right to undertake their duties in a safe environment. If you are concerned about your place of work or have already been the victim of an injury at work, speak to our helpful and friendly lawyer today at (844) 762-8155.
When you hire the Law Offices of Ala Alikhani, P.A. to represent you, we go to extremes to ensure employers and their insurance companies are held accountable and that you receive the benefits you are entitled to by the law.
Were you injured at work? Contact us for a FREE consultation. We are available throughout all times of the day to discuss your case with you. Our office is fluent in Creole and Spanish.
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