Knowing your rights as a worker is the first step toward making sure you are treated properly by your employer.
WHAT ARE YOUR RIGHTS AS AN EMPLOYEE?
Federal law requires your employer to provide a workplace free of health and safety hazards. If you have concerns that your work environment may be unsafe, it is your right to voice your concerns without fear of employer retaliation.
Per the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you also have the right to:
- Be trained in a language you understand
- Work on machines that are safe
- Be provided required safety gear, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline for falls
- Be protected from toxic chemicals
- Request an OSHA inspection, and speak to the inspector
- Report an injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records
- See copies of the workplace injury and illness log
- Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses
- Get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace
WHAT TO DO WHEN YOUR RIGHTS ARE VIOLATED
If your employer is not providing a safe work environment, you can request an Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) inspection of the workplace, in an attempt to correct the situation and prevent work-related injuries.
If you have already suffered an injury due to the violation of any of your rights as a worker, your employer was at fault and should be held accountable for the injury sustained.
It is important to seek legal counsel to determine the best course of action.
At Huber & Palsir, LLC, we specialize in work-related injuries and can help guide you through that process. Reach out to us if you suffered an injury due to a violation of workers’ rights!