{"id":357936,"date":"2016-04-04T10:45:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:45:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/employment\/workplace-safety\/protecting-yourself-from-unsafe-working-conditions.html"},"modified":"2024-03-28T09:34:21","modified_gmt":"2024-03-28T14:34:21","slug":"protecting-yourself-from-unsafe-working-conditions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/employment\/workplace-safety\/protecting-yourself-from-unsafe-working-conditions.html","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Yourself From Unsafe Working Conditions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Protecting Yourself From Unsafe Working Conditions<\/h1>\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Chris Meyers, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

Under federal and state laws, employers must provide a safe workplace. If there are unsafe working conditions, a worker may report the violation to the employer and to the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration<\/a> (OSHA). In some cases, the worker may refuse to work. The following is a summary of OSHA protection and guidelines for dealing with dangerous conditions in the workplace.<\/p>\r\n

What Is OSHA?<\/h2>\r\n

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSH Act) is a federal statute requiring employers to maintain a workplace free of dangerous health and safety conditions that can cause illness, injury, or death. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) enforces the Act and establishes safety standards.<\/p>\r\n

The OSH Act applies to private employers conducting business through interstate commerce<\/a>. This includes doing business via the U.S. Postal Service or by telephone calls to other states.<\/p>\r\n

The intent of OSHA is to protect workers<\/a> (excluding independent contractors) from:<\/p>\r\n