The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has established rules and regulations that specify the right you have to a safe workplace. If you are worried at any time relating to the safety of your work area, you should immediately talk to your supervisors about your fears.
When bringing your concerns forward about workplace safety, never worry about retaliation. Federal law protects workers from losing their jobs or suffering other negative consequences because they addressed their worries and safety concerns with supervisors.
Your right to workplace safety
According to OSHA, workers benefit from the following workplace safety rights:
- To receive job training in a language you can fully understand.
- To use work machinery and tools that are safe, well maintained and free of unnecessary risks.
- To receive appropriate safety gear like a harness or lifeline to prevent falls, gloves to protect your hands, safety goggles to protect your eyes, and other gear that’s necessary to prevent injuries.
- To have protection from toxic substances that could be encountered at your workplace.
- To ask for an OSHA inspection or talk with a safety inspector, and to be able to do so without fear of retaliation.
- To be able to report any injuries or illnesses related to your job and receive copies of medical records related to your treatment.
- To have a copy of your job-related illness and injury log.
- To have a copy of test results related to hazards at your workplace.
Are your workplace safety rights being violated?
If your workplace safety rights are not being honored, you may want to speak with appropriate authorities about the problems. Your job is never worth risking your health. Be sure to learn everything you can about what your employer should be doing to ensure your workplace safety and make sure that you hold your employer accountable to safety rules and regulations.