Although a focus on labor rights and employee safety has been on the minds of many Americans since the start of the labor rights movement in the early 20th century, it was not until the 1970’s when a serious effort was made to protect workers with the founding of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, also known as “OSHA.” This helped set industry standards for employee protections, working with both employers and their employees to ensure that every effort is made for a safe working environment.
Employers must adhere to strict rules with regards to safety and hazards in the workplace. They must make sure that employees are fully trained and equipped with safety equipment and accessories at no charge to assure their safety. They must also take proactive measures to assure that working conditions for their employees are free of all known hazards. They must also post OSHA posters at the jobsite and keep a record of any injury or citations that occur on the job.
Employees have their own rights as well, including the right to report alleged hazards, attend a OSHA inspection following a report and have protection against retaliation from an employer following a safety violation report. They also have the right to obtain documentation regarding any safety violation and reports of tests done to measure workplace hazards.
Although actions are often taken to try to minimize workplace injuries, they still occur. If you or someone you know has been the victim of a workplace injury, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries.
Source: findlaw.com, “Workplace Safety: OSHA and OSH Act Overview,” Accessed May 15, 2017