Your Rights As a Safety Whistleblower
When you see unsafe conditions on a construction worksite, you have a responsibility to yourself and those around you to take action. This could be as simple as remedying the safety issue yourself, calling it to the attention of a supervisor, or – in certain cases—alerting OSHA to the problem.
Filing a complaint with OSHA is simple. You are able to do it on the OSHA website or by phone. Still, many people are scared to alert the agency to safety problems, fearing retaliation from their employer. Fortunately, you are protected against that as well.
According to an OSHA FactSheet, you are protected against adverse actions by your employer when you have become a “whistleblower.” In other words, if you bring attention to safety issues or noncompliance on the job site, you are protected against retaliation from your employer.
This retaliation, or “unfavorable personnel actions” as OSHA calls them, could include being:
- Fired or laid off
- Blacklisted
- Denied overtime
- Denied promotion
- Demoted
- Disciplined
- Intimidated
- Refused hire or rehire
- Subjected to reduced pay or hours
- Denied benefits.
Recently, OSHA announced a new committee to help in protecting whistleblowers. The Whistleblower Protection Advisory Committee will aid the Department of Labor in protecting those people who come forward to report safety issues.
Safety is everyone’s responsibility. Fortunately most safety concerns on a construction site can be resolved easily by workers and direct supervisors. These issues, when resolved quickly, can reduce the number of construction accidents on a worksite and help keep all workers safe.
However, when safety problems are allowed to remain, whether through negligence or reckless disregard for safety, everyone on the site is at risk.
As a worker, you have your own safety responsibilities. But, you have only so much power. If your employer doesn’t provide the right equipment or doesn’t encourage a safe working environment, you could be put at an increased risk for injury and have little say in the reduction of this risk.
Fortunately, if you are hurt on a construction site, you have rights.
Construction site accidents have the potential to end tragically. You could be entitled to compensation for your injuries and the costs that arise as a result.
If you’ve been injured on a construction site—whether it’s the fault of a coworker or your employer—we may be able to help. Contact our offices today to discuss your case and your rights.
