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> They don't have the ability to shut down entire facilities and they don't have the resources to conduct proactive inspections to correct problems before peopl

> They don't have the ability to shut down entire facilities and they don't have the resources to conduct proactive inspections to correct problems before people are hurt/killed. No, OSHA doesn't have the resources to be proactive. I wish it did. How would you prevent it from being gamed? Anyway, employees can be proactive too and that doesn't require OSHA to be proactive -- it requires OSHA to (also) be reactive. If someone is concerned over workplace safety then they should put their concern into words. Talk with your employer about your concerns. It's easiest if you write down your words anyway, but doing so is required by OSHA: if you aren't satisfied by the solution that your employer offers then you can take the same words to OSHA. It's worth noting that some states (I'm not sure which) have their own implementation of OSHA. In the USA, any employee can, and should be encouraged to, report [0] unsafe conditions before something bad happens. OSHA has an obligation to investigate if any one of several criteria [1] are true, but one of which is: > A written, signed complaint by a current employee or employee representative with enough detail to enable OSHA to determine that a violation or danger likely exists that threatens physical harm or that an imminent danger exists; Your employer will almost certainly want to have resolved your safety concerns. Writing it down when talking to your employer can help with eloquence and finding necessary details. And if you're fired for discussing the concerns with your employer then there's a safety harness for you: > Federal law entitles you to a safe workplace. Your employer must keep your workplace free of known health and safety hazards. You have the right to speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation. [0]: https://www.osha.gov/workers/file-complaint https://www.osha.gov/workers/file-complaint [1]: https://www.osha.gov/workers/handling https://www.osha.gov/workers/handling [2]: https://www.osha.gov/workers https://www.osha.gov/workers

Jochim 3y ago
I appreciate the good intention behind this post but it seems dangerously naive to the reality that most workers face. Many employers simply do not care about worker safety. They'll claim to but the pressures they put in place ensure that it's treated as a secondary measure at best. Most employees cannot afford to be fired for speaking up about safety. Legal protections and compensation often take months/years to come through. They are useless when you have no money for next month's rent. Not to mention that in many places the company that fired you is often the only major employer in your area.
ClumsyPilot 3y ago
> Talk with your employer about your concerns. It's easiest if you write down your words anyway, but doing so is required by OSHA: if you aren't satisfied by the solution that your employer offers then you can take the same words to OSHA. You do not owe courtesy to employer that's putting your life at risk. Its their job to know the law. Tell them nothing, give them no reason to supect you spoke to OSHA, and go straight to reporting. The reality for most people, is that there will be retaliation and the law will not help them feed their family.

Jochim 3y ago

I appreciate the good intention behind this post but it seems dangerously naive to the reality that most workers face. Many employers simply do not care about worker safety. They'll claim to but the pressures they put in place ensure that it's treated as a secondary measure at best. Most employees cannot afford to be fired for speaking up about safety. Legal protections and compensation often take months/years to come through. They are useless when you have no money for next month's rent. Not to mention that in many places the company that fired you is often the only major employer in your area.

ClumsyPilot 3y ago

> Talk with your employer about your concerns. It's easiest if you write down your words anyway, but doing so is required by OSHA: if you aren't satisfied by the solution that your employer offers then you can take the same words to OSHA. You do not owe courtesy to employer that's putting your life at risk. Its their job to know the law. Tell them nothing, give them no reason to supect you spoke to OSHA, and go straight to reporting. The reality for most people, is that there will be retaliation and the law will not help them feed their family.