Have you noticed that your workplace has safety issues? Have you noticed that these issues are not being resolved?
Employees have the right to a safe workplace, and employers have an obligation to provide it. If that obligation is not being met, or a serious safety hazard exists which has not been corrected, employees have the right to reach out to their health and safety contact with their concern or file a complaint.
Here, we explore the process of filing a safety complaint, who to talk to in your office, and how to ensure your concerns are heard so that you can help protect your colleagues.
Why File a Health and Safety Complaint?
As an employee, federal law entitles you to a safe workplace. Your employer, in turn, is legally obligated to provide that safe workplace.
As an employee, you also have a right to request an on-site workplace inspection if your employer is not meeting their safety obligations under federal law, or if you believe your workplace has a serious hazard that must be addressed immediately.
But OSHA isn’t psychic, and they won’t know anything is wrong unless you speak up. That’s where filing a health and safety complaint can help.
How to File a Safety Complaint
If you’re concerned about escalating the issue with OSHA right away, you can start by reaching out to your in-office health and safety contact. This is typically a safety professional or staff safety representative who deals with safety issues on a daily basis.
You should have access to this person anytime you need them. If you’re not sure who your health and safety contact is, speak up to a safety professional in the office who you trust.
However, if you’re concerned about getting an issue directly addressed by OSHA, you’ll need to file a complaint.
First, you need to fill out the complaint as soon as you notice the problem. Second, it’s important to remember that a signed form is more likely to get an on-site inspection. If this sounds nerve-wracking, remember that you are legally protected from reprisal if you report a safety concern.
Fortunately, filing a complaint is easy. The simplest method is to fill out the online complaint form. You can also email, mail, or fax it to your local OSHA office, or send a letter describing your complaint. You can also reach out to your local OSHA office or call 800-321-6742 (OSHA).
Your Health and Safety Contact Protects You
Your health and safety contact is there to protect you, and that means that you should be able to speak up.
And if you’re the workplace health and safety contact, you need the right resources to take care of your colleagues. That’s where we come in, with EHS software to help you make note of safety issues and correct them before they become serious problems.
Sound like the right fit? Then let us help you and your employees build a safer work environment together. Get in touch today to learn more.
