OSHA and Construction Workers' Right to a Safe Workplace
By Jade Yeban, J.D. | Legally reviewed by Katrina Wilson, Esq. | Last reviewed December 13, 2023
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All workers deserve a safe place to work. This includes construction workers. As a construction worker, your job can be demanding. It often involves high-risk situations. This makes your entitlement to a safe workplace all the more crucial.
Certain federal laws help protect workers' rights to a safe workplace. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 is key federal legislation. It was also called the “Job Safety Law of 1970." The Act created the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). This operates within the Department of Labor to reduce workplace hazards. It also puts safety and health programs into place.
OSHA regulations set standards for safe workplaces. They help protect you from workplace injuries and serious conditions. OSHA standards and regulations provide specific protections for construction workers. This helps guard against common industry dangers and promotes a culture of safety on each construction site.
OSHA safety standards and regulations apply to work on construction projects, so it's helpful to have a general idea of your rights under OSHA as an employee at a construction site. For more information on this federal agency, see FindLaw's OSHA Questions and Answers.
Construction Worker Rights Under OSHA
Construction work can be hazardous, but as a construction worker you are protected by OSHA's specific safety standards and regulations. Here are the key rights and responsibilities you hold under OSHA:
- Right to a Safe Workplace: You are entitled to a workplace free from recognized hazards. Examples of such hazards include exposed wiring and unguarded machinery. It also includes unsafe scaffolding or potential falls from heights.
- Right to Information: You have the right to be informed about any potential hazards in your work environment. If you're working with or around hazardous materials, your employer should provide you with Material Safety Data Sheets. They should also ensure you are trained to handle these materials correctly.
- Right To Training: You are entitled to receive training about potential hazards. You should also know how to prevent them and the proper use of safety equipment. This training must be in a language and format you can understand.
- Right to Protective Equipment: You have the right to personal protective equipment (PPE). For construction work, this could include helmets, safety glasses, and gloves. It can also include fall protection gear and respiratory protection. These materials should be provided at no cost to you.
- Right To Report Unsafe Conditions: You have the right to report issues. You can do this without fear of retaliation. This is part of OSHA's whistleblower protections.
- Right to OSHA Inspections: You have the right to request an OSHA inspection. You might make this request if there are unsafe conditions at your workplace. You can request this inspection without reprisal. You also have the right to speak privately with the inspector.
- Right To Access Records: You have the right to access certain records. You can access records about your work-related injuries and illnesses. You can access records of events that happened at your worksite. You can also request results from tests measuring hazards. Examples of these tests include chemical exposure or excessive noise in your workplace.
If you do suffer a work injury, workers' compensation laws kick in. Workers' comp is a type of insurance that should cover your medical expenses and lost wages if you're hurt on the job. You can file a workers' compensation claim with the help of a workers' compensation attorney.
Employer Obligations Under OSHA
Employers in the construction industry carry certain significant responsibilities. Under federal law, they must provide a safe work environment for their employees. They must follow OSHA and regulations. OSHA lays out several key obligations for employers, including:
- Provide a Safe Work Environment: Employers must create and maintain a safe workplace. The workplace must be free from recognized hazards. This includes ensuring machinery and equipment are safe and that employees have and use safe tools and equipment. It also means that there are safety measures like fall protection in place.
- Follow OSHA Standards: Employers must adhere to all applicable OSHA standards for safety and health. This includes proper construction of scaffolding and trench safety measures. It also includes safe ladder usage and appropriate use and storage of hazardous materials.
- Train Employees: Employers should provide all employees with safety training. Workers should know about potential workplace hazards and how to prevent them. Training should also include information about maintaining safe working conditions. All training should be provided in a language and format that employees can understand.
- Provide Protective Equipment: If hazardous conditions can't be eliminated, employers should provide workers with appropriate PPE. This includes helmets, gloves, masks, safety glasses, high-visibility clothing, and respiratory protection.
- Report Accidents and Illnesses: You must report all work-related injuries and fatalities to OSHA. Fatalities must be reported within eight hours. All work-related in-patient hospitalizations, amputations, or eye loss must be reported within 24 hours. You can file a report directly to OSHA by contacting the nearest OSHA office. You can also call OSHA's 24-hour hotline at 1-800-321-6742 or report the incident online.
- Post OSHA Information: Employers should display the OSHA poster in the workplace. This can help ensure employees know and understand their rights if they suffer a workplace accident. These resources can be critical in providing helpful information about workplace safety.
- Keep Records: Employers should maintain accurate records of work-related injuries and illnesses. They should also ensure employees know how to report these. Employers must also keep records of any tests done to identify and measure hazards in the workplace. Examples of such tests might include air quality, noise level, and structural integrity tests.
- Allow OSHA Inspections: Employers must allow OSHA compliance officers to conduct inspections of their workplaces. If a violation is found, they are required to correct the issue as soon as possible. If not, they could face citations such as fines or closure.
- No Retaliation: It is illegal to retaliate against a worker for exercising their rights under OSHA law. This includes retaliation for reporting an injury or raising health and safety concerns.
- Carry Workers' Compensation Insurance: Most employers are required to carry workers' compensation insurance by state law. In some states, workers' compensation insurance is optional for employers. Coverage includes expenses for things like medical treatment and lost wages if an employee is hurt on the job.
If employers do not follow these standards, they risk certain consequences. They may be subjected to a citation, fine, or even business closure in extreme circumstances.
Industry-Specific Obligations Under OSHA
The types of OSHA regulations imposed depend on the type of construction project. For instance, employers must ensure fall protection measures are in place in a standard construction setting. This might include safety nets, guardrails, or body harnesses. If a worksite is found to be lacking these safety measures, it may be an OSHA violation.
In manufacturing or industrial construction environments, machine guarding is often a key OSHA requirement. Proper guards should be installed to protect workers from the moving parts of machinery. This helps reduce the risk of serious injury.
With construction projects in healthcare facilities, appropriate protocols for handling and disposing of biohazards are mandated by OSHA. Failure to comply with these standards could lead to the spread of infectious diseases among employees and also be an OSHA violation.
OSHA Inspections
OSHA conducts inspections to check if workplaces meet their standards. These inspections can result from complaints, injuries, fatalities, or routine checks. If an inspector finds a violation of OSHA, they will issue a citation. The employer must then fix the problem to keep their workers safe.
Employees should contact an OSHA area or state office via a written complaint if a hazard is not corrected. If the OSHA or state safety office determines that there are reasonable grounds for believing 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. 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. They will discuss the abatement of any hazards that may have been found.
OSHA's Role in Injury Claims
OSHA primarily focuses on preventing injuries by enforcing safety standards. It also plays a role when on-the-job injuries do occur. If you've been injured at work, filing a workers' compensation claim allows you to get benefits for your medical expenses and lost wages.
When you file a claim, it's not your job to identify specific OSHA violations. Your main responsibility is to report your injury. You should also seek immediate medical care. Maintain all of your medical records. If you believe an OSHA violation contributed to your injury, it could be beneficial to report it. OSHA investigates reports of safety violations and can issue citations to employers, which may strengthen your claim.
Even if you don't identify a violation, an investigation might reveal one. This might shed light on potential unsafe conditions in your workplace. Remember, the primary purpose of both OSHA regulations and workers' compensation laws is to ensure your safety on the job. It's about creating a safer work environment for everyone.
Get an Attorney To Review Your Case
A workers' compensation attorney can greatly help if you've been hurt on the job. They can help you understand workers' compensation laws, file a claim, and even fight for your rights if your claim is denied. They can also help you understand your workers' compensation benefits.
Discussing your case with an experienced construction injury attorney is your next step. It is the best way to evaluate your potential claim. They can also help you file a personal injury claim if someone's negligence caused your injury. Injured workers have rights. An attorney can help you defend these rights.
Speak to a qualified attorney about your case today.
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