OSHA Worksite Inspections
OSHA conducts on-site inspections of worksites to enforce the OSHA law that protects workers and their rights.
Inspections are initiated without advance notice and performed by highly trained compliance officers.
Inspections are conducted without employers knowing when or where they will occur. The employer is not informed in advance that there will be an inspection, regardless of whether it is in response to a complaint or is a programmed inspection.
Right to Request an On-site OSHA Inspection
On-site inspections can be triggered by a worker complaint of a potential workplace hazard or violation. If your workplace has unsafe or unhealthful working conditions, you may want to file a complaint. Often the best and fastest way to get a hazard corrected is to notify your supervisor or employer.
Right to File a Complaint with OSHA
Current workers or their representatives may file a written complaint and ask OSHA to inspect their workplace if they believe there is a serious hazard or that their employer is not following OSHA standards or rules.
Workers and their representatives have the right to ask for an inspection without OSHA telling their employer who filed the complaint. It is a violation of the OSH Act for an employer to fire, demote, transfer or retaliate in any way against a worker for filing a complaint or using other OSHA rights.
A complaint can be filed in several ways:
- Mail or submit the OSHA Complaint Form - Download the OSHA complaint form from OSHA's website (or request a copy from your local OSHA regional or area office), complete it and then fax or mail it back to your nearest OSHA regional or area office.
- Online - Go to the online Complaint Form on the OSHA website.
- Telephone - Call your local OSHA regional or area office at 1-800-321-OSHA (6742). OSHA staff can discuss your complaint and respond to any questions you have. If there is an emergency or the hazard is immediately life-threatening, call your local OSHA regional or area office.
Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.
4-7. It is a violation of the OSH Act for an employer to _____ for filing a complaint or using other OSHA rights.
You forgot to answer the question!