In 1970, the United States founded the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, or OSHA, and created the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 to help protect American workers. The administration has many rules in place for companies and works with both employers and their workers to assure a safe working environment for those working in the United States.
The administration set specific guidelines that companies must adhere to in an effort to create a safe working environment for all their workers. This includes assuring a workplace without serious hazards, or if hazards inevitably exist, providing employees with protective equipment, gear and safeguards at no cost to the worker. They must also inform and train all workers working in hazardous environments at no cost to the employee. They must also keep records of any work-related injuries or illnesses, and post any and all citations and injuries, as well as an easily visible OSHA poster in the workplace.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration will also work with employees who feel that their rights may have been violated and their safety compromised while in the workplace. A worker may file a claim with OSHA at any time to have the administration inspect the workplace, may participate in the inspection and cannot face retaliation or discrimination due to the filed complaint.
Workplace accidents affect thousands of Americans every year. If you have been injured at work, you have the right to seek workers’ compensation for your injuries. If you believe your rights may have been violated, you may also want to speak with a legal professional to see if they can help.
Source: findlaw.com, “Workplace Safety: OSHA and OSH Act Overview,” Accessed May 8, 2017