According to the Occupational Safety and Health Act, employees are entitled to working conditions that are free from serious safety and health hazards.
With 2019 around the corner, now would be a good time to review the rights that your employees have in the workplace — rights that the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) strictly upholds. Specifically, employees have the right to:
- Ask OSHA to inspect their workplace
- Use their rights under the law without retaliation and discrimination
- Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm and the OSHA regulations that apply to their workplace
- Receive training in a language they can understand
- Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace
- Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses
- Get copies of their medical records
Through its Whistleblower Protection Program, OSHA makes it relatively easy for employees to file a claim if they believe that their rights have been violated. Do not let this happen in your workplace!
Three Principles to Practice Every Day
- Do everything you can to create and maintain a safe and healthful workplace. Make this a daily goal.
- Talk to employees. Get to know them — and their ideas regarding safety on the job.
- Address employee concerns in a timely manner. If an employee comes to you with a problem on Friday morning, don’t wait until Monday to address the issue.
