How To Report a Company for Unsafe Working Conditions in Philadelphia
Ryan Zavodnick | November 25, 2022 | Workplace Accidents
The workplace is a dangerous space. The Bureau of Labor Statistics recorded approximately 2.6 million workplace injuries and illnesses last year. The year before that, Pennsylvania’s Center for Workforce Information and Analysis recorded over 135,000 nonfatal workplace injury events.
While you cannot completely eliminate the risk of injury from your job, your employer has a legal duty to make your workspace as safe as reasonably possible. Not all employers honor this obligation, however.
There are actions you should take if you believe your employer is not providing you with the safe working environment to which the law entitles you.
Consider Speaking With Your Employer First
While you have no obligation under the law to alert your employer to unsafe conditions, this may be a logical first step. If you have a good relationship with your employer and believe they are responsive to your feedback, an informal conversation about your working conditions may be all that is needed to fix the issue.
This is not only the easiest way to address a workplace safety concern but often the fastest way to fix the issue. Employers who care about their employees’ well-being are usually quick to resolve safety concerns.
Steps To Take If You Cannot Speak With Your Employer
You may not feel that you have an employer who will respond favorably to criticism or complaints. Perhaps you have tried to discuss issues with your employer only to have your concerns ridiculed or dismissed. You might also fear repercussions if you bring your problems directly to your employer.
You may file a complaint with the Philadelphia Office of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) with or without first talking to your employer.
There are several different methods you can use to file your complaint:
- File the complaint online
- Download the complaint form and either mail or fax it to the Philadelphia OSHA office
- Make a complaint over the phone by calling 1-800-321-OSHA (6742)
When you complain to OSHA, you may request that your name be kept confidential. If you do, then OSHA will not identify you as the source of the complaint to your employer. You may also choose to affix your name to the complaint.
What Happens After You Make a Complaint To OSHA?
When OSHA receives your complaint, what happens next may depend on whether you made your complaint anonymously or attached your name to the complaint. If you made an anonymous complaint or submitted a complaint online, OSHA will likely contact your employer and attempt to resolve the issue informally without an onsite inspection.
OSHA is more likely to conduct an onsite inspection if you sign your name to your complaint and submit it to the Philadelphia OSHA office at 1835 Market Street.
During an onsite inspection, the OSHA representative will visually inspect the workplace and speak with you, other employees, and your supervisors. You may ask to meet privately with the inspector.
If the OSHA inspector finds safety violations, the inspector will issue a citation to your employer. The citation will describe the violation and give a date by which your employer must fix the problem.
Philadelphia Workers Deserve a Safe Workspace
The OSHA complaint process makes it easy for Philadelphia workers to report unsafe working conditions. Additionally, legal protections exist so that your employer cannot fire you, demote you, or take other retaliatory action against you for reporting a safety hazard.
If you do not feel comfortable speaking with your employer directly about a safety issue, take advantage of one of the various methods to report the matter to OSHA.
Contact Our Workplace Accidents Law Firm in Philadelphia Today To Get Help With Your Case
To learn more and get the help you deserve, call Zavodnick & Lasky Personal Injury Lawyers at (215) 875-7030 or contact us online.
You can also visit our law firm at 123 S Broad St #1220, Philadelphia, PA 19109.
