OSHA and worker safety
OSHA inspections are intended to help worker safety. If OSHA regulations are overlooked or ignored, you should speak up. Findlaw explains:
If a hazard is not being corrected, an employee should contact an OSHA area office or state office via a written complaint. If the OSHA or state office determines that there are reasonable grounds for believing that a violation or danger exists, the office will conduct an inspection. A workers’ representative has a right to accompany an OSHA compliance officer during the inspection. The representative must be chosen by the union (if there is one) or by the employees. Under no circumstances may the employer choose the workers’ representative. The inspector may conduct a comprehensive inspection of the entire workplace or a partial inspection limited to certain areas or aspects of the operation.
At the end of the inspection, the OSHA inspector will meet with the employer and the employee representatives to discuss the abatement of any hazards that may have been found.
OSHA regulations are critical for our communities as well as worker safety. A building that ignores or dismisses code is an accident waiting to happen and ultimately puts us all at risk.