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Under the 1970 Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Act, employers are required to fulfill their “general duty,” which means providing “a safe and healthful workplace that is free from serious recognized hazards.” The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) exists to enforce the legislation of the OSH Act and 20 other relevant statutes. OSHA oversees general industry, construction, maritime and agriculture to ensure that they are meeting federal standards.
Some fundamental OSHA standards across industries include protecting workers against falls, protecting workers from harmful noise levels, guarding heavy machinery, protection from asbestos and lead, providing healthcare workers with appropriate equipment and training all workers in their native language.
In addition, every worker has a right to free protective equipment. A red flag that your employer may not be following federal standards is a requirement that workers bring their own respirators, goggles or gloves, which should all be freely available at the workplace.
Perhaps the most important workers’ right is the right to information. Employers are legally bound to explain all of the risks and hazards of the workplace to their employees. As such, employers can use informative color coding to indicate hazards and post informative signs where necessary. Included in the right to information is the right to be fully trained on all aspects of a job.
I Need A Workers Compensation Attorney Based Out Of Columbus, Ohio
If your employer is not adhering to any of the workers’ rights listed above, it may be time to seek legal assistance. Under the whistleblower provisions of the OSH Act, your employer can not legally terminate you for speaking out about workplace safety. Furthermore, an experienced workers compensation attorney can secure the compensation you need for a workplace injury.
Larrimer & Larrimer, LLC—Columbus Workers Comp Attorneys
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