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144 Introduction to OSHA
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Right to Complain or Request Corrections

According to OSHA law, you may bring up safety and health concerns in the workplace to your employer without fear of discharge or discrimination.

Outside construction work stopped while employees report the hazard
If you come across a hazard where you are working, notify your immediate supervisor.

If workers become aware of a hazard where you're working, they must notify their immediate supervisor. If workers are not comfortable doing that for some reason, they should contact the safety manager or safety committee. If employees are afraid to report their concerns about hazards and unsafe practices, the root cause may be a fundamental lack of trust between management and labor in the organization.

OSHA rules protect workers who raise concerns to their employer or OSHA about unsafe or unhealthful conditions in the workplace.

Right to Training

Employees discussing their right to effective safety training
Employees have a right to effective safety training.

Workers have a right to get training from employers on a variety of health and safety hazards and standards that employers must follow. No one should ever be injured, become ill, or lose their life just to earn a paycheck.

Required training covers topics such as chemical hazards, equipment hazards, noise, confined spaces, fall hazards in construction, and personal protective equipment. Training must be in a language and vocabulary workers can understand.

For more detailed information on training requirements across various sectors such as General Industry, Maritime, Construction, Agriculture, and Federal Employee Programs, refer to OSHA's Publication 2254, Training Requirements in OSHA Standards.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

2-7. What is likely the root cause when employees do not report hazards to their supervisors?