Construction Accidents- Right to Safety
Choosing to work in an industry that involves daily exposure to potentially dangerous or life-threatening conditions does not negate one’s right to safety. Employers have a duty to ensure a safe environment for employees, and for construction workers’ safety, employers must adhere to certain standards under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
About The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA)
The Occupational Safety and Health Act, more commonly referred to as OSHA, was created in 1970 and outlines the rights of employees to safety on the job and responsibilities of employers to promote safety in the workplace. The following outlines a few of the stated employer responsibilities and employee rights under this law.
Employer Responsibilities
Employers are obligated to:
- Tell employees about OSHA regulations that relate to their place of employment
- Give employees notification on location and availability of exposure and medical records, as well as exhibit a highly visible OSHA sign on rights and responsibilities
- Institute an inclusive program for communicating safety and hazard issues, as well as a program to train employees
Employee Rights
Under OSHA, employees are entitled to:
- File a complaint without fear of retaliation
- Access to pertinent medical and exposure records
- Access to relevant OSHA rules and regulations
OSHA lists other rights and responsibilities, and more detailed information can be found by visiting
http://www.osha.gov or the U.S. Department of Labor Web site.
Inspections
OSHA offices exist in every state or region and may perform inspections to ensure that a job site is in compliance with their rules. Employees with complaints or concerns about workplace violations may contact the office in their area in writing.
For those whose rights to safety have been violated, a personal injury attorney may be helpful in determining the best course of action.
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