Lala C. Ballatan

Significant Steps to Counter Unsafe Workplace Conditions

Important methods in avoiding dangerous work conditions

Do you feel that the condition in your workplace is insufferable and exposes your safety or health in danger? Then you have to act as soon as possible and have such unacceptable condition change!

The federal law, entitled Occupational Safety and Health Act or OSH Act and also other state laws similar to the objective of OSH Act clearly explains every one of your rights in case your workplace turn out to be hazardous or dangerous for your health and safety.

How do you begin dealing with the health and safety hazards present in your workplace?

• If you are already facing an impending danger

If you think that, the odds are great and your life is potentially confronting danger due to hazardous conditions present in your workplace, you have the right to refuse to continue working. Further, you need to call the attention of necessary agencies by immediately contacting the emergency telephone number of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (most known as OSHA), 8300-321-OSHA (6742). The United State's Department of Labor (DOL) is governing OSHA.

If you or a co-worker have succumbed to the dangers of your workplace and need medical attention as quickly as possible, then it is but sensible to dial 911.

By impending danger or disaster, it indicates that your workplace has the following factors:

-         performing your task at work would cause a real peril of death or severe physical injury

-         your employer denies the presence of danger and refuses to remedy the problems being encountered

-         there is no sufficient time given wherein you can eliminate the existing danger by doing other means, lie requesting the OSHA for an inspection

Some state laws permits the worker the right to decline from working even if in actuality, the damage that may be caused is not really life threatening. You can contact your state's labor department to check out the laws concerning workplace safety in your particular state and area.

• If you are not actually facing an impending danger

If you feel that threat is not actually in the offing as yet then here are the steps on improving your condition:

1. It may be possible that your employer is not yet aware about the danger or else he or she would have dealt with the situation without further delay. As such, give proper notice about it and request that he/she remedy the problem.

In issuing your request, make sure that it is properly documented. Either you issue a written request or taking down notes reminding yourself of the request you have made, the date you made it, the name of the person whom you notified about your request and the summary of what transpired in your conversation.

1. If you have already made a request and still your employer has done nothing to deal with the problem, then, it may be time for you to complain to the OSHA or a similar agency if existing in your state.

See the article, "How to File a Complaint with OSHA" on the OSHA's website for information on the steps in filing a complaint on OSHA. You can also file a complaint form online or by downloading the form, filling it up and filing it through mail or fax.

You can have the choice of providing your identification or making your complaint a anonymous one.

If you are afraid that your employer would retaliate because of your complain, do not worry. There are federal and state laws effectively prohibiting your employer from doing any retaliatory actions against you for your refusal to work or your complaint about the hazardous conditions in your workplace.

Know more about countering dangerous working conditions with the help of Los Angeles Employment Law Attorneys through the Los Angeles Attorneys website at http://www.expertlosangelesattorney.com/

Article Tags: State Laws

Source: Free Articles from ArticlesFactory.com

ABOUT THE AUTHOR