The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is an organization in place to keep workers safe, by mandating secure and healthy work environments, and enforcing training and safety standards across the occupational landscape of the United States. They also provide guidelines intended to protect the rights of workers in case of an on-the-job accident. If you believe your workplace is unsafe, you can file a complaint with OSHA and schedule an inspection of the site. If you are unsure if a complaint should be filed you should contact the injured workers attorneys at Kaplan Lawyers PC to discuss the situation and receive free advice.
What Are My Rights?
There are many jobs whose workplaces include risks that cannot be avoided. Accidents do happen, even when precautionary measures are taken. However, if your injuries were caused by someone else’s negligence then your rights have been compromised and you are entitled to compensation. Supervisors have an obligation to carefully maintain a job site to its fullest potential security. That means meeting all OSHA guidelines and addressing all possible safety hazards in a thorough and timely manner. Here are some responsibilities of every employer:
- Medical and injury records must be kept and disclosed when requested
- An employer must uphold a jobsite to its safest possible state
- Any test that can be done to diagnose workplace hazards must be performed regularly, as per OSHA standards
- An employer may not retaliate against an employer who files a claim with OSHA in the attempt to make for a safer workplace. This includes withholding pay, raises, or promotions.
- An employer must notify OSHA within 8 hours if an onsite death has taken place or an accident has caused the hospitalization of three or more employees
- An employer must keep their workers well-trained, and must have them undergo tests to ensure that they’re physically and mentally capable of performing their job duties
As an employee, you are entitled to the following basic rights:
- The right to be promptly notified of any unsafe working condition
- The right to be appropriately trained and informed
- The right to never be discriminated against for contacting OSHA
Contact Us
If you’re still not clear on your rights as a worker, your best bet is to contact Kaplan Lawyers PC for a free consultation, the advice can be invaluable and help to prevent unnecessary injuries on the job.
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan
Attorney Jared S. Kaplan has focused his career on advancing his legal knowledge though the day to day practice of law. Jared is a partner in the law firm of Kaplan Lawyers PC in Syosset, New York and has been a practicing attorney for nearly 20 years. His career started in litigation, so Jared is aware of the pitfalls in litigation and uses that knowledge in the representation of his clients in complex matters. [ Attorney Bio ]