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What to Do If You Have an Unsafe Workplace

November 20, 2013 By Paul Giannetti

Unsafe Work ConditionsMany workplace accidents – and New York workers’ compensation claims – could be avoided if New York employers took effective steps to minimize hazards or unsafe conditions at the workplace. By law, they’re required to. The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) demands that employers must maintain a workplace free of hazards that they know or should know about that are likely to cause serious injury or death.

What Is OSHA?

OSHA is a part of the U.S. Department of Labor and was created by Congress in 1970. Its mission is to create safe and healthy working conditions. The agency has the power to create and enforce workplace standards. It also provides training, outreach efforts, education, and compliance assistance.

OSHA covers a majority of private sector employers and employees throughout all states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. OSHA does not cover self-employed individuals, farms that employ only immediate family members, working conditions that are controlled by other federal agencies, and employees of state and local governments, unless they are within a state operating under an OSHA-approved state plan.

Common Unsafe Work Conditions

Hazards or unsafe workplace conditions may include:

  • unchecked toxic fumes
  • electrical hazards (frayed cords, faulty wiring, etc.)
  • exposure to extreme heat or cold
  • constant exposure to loud noise without protection
  • poor lighting
  • broken equipment or tools
  • failing to secure heavy or dangerous objects
  • lack of barriers or other protection from dangerous equipment
  • failure to train employees to use of dangerous equipment
  • lack of necessary safety or protective gear
  • unsanitary conditions
  • poor housekeeping: spills or obstructions on the floor, haphazard placement of dangerous chemicals or flammable items, etc.

Unfortunately, some employers disregard these dangerous conditions, often prioritizing saving money over the health and well-being of their employees.

Employees Do Not Have to Tolerate an Unsafe Work Environment

If you believe your workplace is unsafe, there are certain steps you can take. First, OSHA recommends talking to your employer about the hazards.  If conditions fail to improve, file a complaint with OSHA. This may be done confidentially: if you request it, OSHA will not reveal your name to your employer.  Moreover, it is absolutely illegal for your employer to fire, demote, transfer or discriminate against you in any way for filing the report.

How to File an Official Complaint

You can file the complaint in three ways:

  1. Online.  Fill out the online form and it will be automatically directed to the appropriate office. Note that most online complains will be resolved with your employer over the telephone rather than through an onsite inspection.  Written complaints signed by workers and submitted to a regional OSHA office (see below) are more likely to result in on-site inspections.
  2. Download. You may download the form in English or Spanish, complete it, and mail or fax it to the nearest OSHA regional office.  You should include your name, address and phone number so OSHA can contact you for further information, if necessary.  Your personal information will be kept confidential.
  3. Telephone. Call your local or regional OSHA office. (You can get the number by calling 1-800-321-OSHA). The OSHA staff can discuss your complaint and respond to questions.

After your complaint is filed, OSHA will contact your employer to discuss how to resolve the problem, or conduct an on-site inspection of the workplace. You have the right to:

  • attend the inspection
  • speak privately with the OSHA inspector
  • be a part of meeting with the inspector and your employer, both before and after the inspection
  • have the OSHA inspector speak confidentially with a number of employees during the course of the investigation, particularly when there is no union or employee representative
  • find out the results of the OSHA inspection.

If your employer is found in violation of OSHA standards, your employer will be issued a citation, requiring the employer to take corrective actions by a certain date.  Employees may challenge the date of the deadline for corrective action, while employers may appeal the citation.  If the employer is not issued a citation, you may request a review of OSHA’s decision.

Also remember that if you are being discriminated against by your employer for having filed a complaint, you have 30 days to file a discrimination complaint with OSHA starting from the date of the discrimination.

Your Right to Refuse to Work

If there’s a risk that you may be exposed to a hazard at work that clearly presents a risk of death or serious physical harm, and you have brought the hazard to your employer’s attention, but there is not enough time to involve OSHA, then you may have the right to refuse to work.

This right is protected by law only if you meet all of the following conditions:

  • Whenever possible, you have asked your employer to eliminate the danger, and your employer has failed to do so;
  • Your refusal to work was in good faith—meaning you genuinely believe that working places you in imminent danger;
  • A reasonable person would agree that there is a real danger of death or serious injury; and
  • There is not enough time to have the hazard corrected through typical enforcement channels, such as filing a complaint with OSHA.

If all of these elements exist, then ask your employer to correct or eliminate the hazard or assign you other work. Tell your employer you will not perform the work unless the hazard is corrected or eliminated. Then, do not leave the worksite right away. Remain there until your employer orders you to leave.

If you have any questions regarding an unsafe workplace or an injury or illness arising from an unsafe workplace, speak to an experienced Albany workers’ compensation lawyer.  Contact Paul Giannetti today at (866) 868-2960 or online.

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