Pennsylvania employers have a legal duty to provide their employees with a safe and healthy work environment. This means addressing any workplace hazards and providing employees with proper training and adequate equipment that allows them to do their jobs safely.
Physical hazards include slippery floors, broken stairs or elevators or exposed electrical wiring. Chemicals can create hazardous conditions when employees are exposed to chemicals such as cleaning products or other industrial chemicals.
Poorly designed workspaces create unsafe conditions when desks, computers or other office equipment are set up in a manner that increases the risk of an ergonomic hazard, such as a repetitive motion injury.
Mental or psychological stresses are another serious example of unsafe working conditions. Employees who are victims of workplace harassment, discrimination or bullying can be working in unsafe conditions when the behavior causes stress or conflict.
Proper training increases workplace safety
Additionally, employees may engage in unsafe acts such as failing to wear safety equipment or performing their jobs in an unsafe manner, such as improperly using equipment or performing physical tasks incorrectly.
In these situations, employers have a duty to provide proper training and education to employees. For example, training on the correct ways to bend and stretch to avoid injury when performing physical tasks should be conducted.
What can I do about unsafe working conditions?
You might be hesitant to report unsafe working conditions due to fear of retaliation. However, you have the legal right to contact the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and file a formal complaint if you believe your working conditions are unsafe. You may also request OSHA perform an inspection of your workplace.
Before filing a complaint, you should tell your employer about the problem and allow them a chance to fix it.
Remember that you have many rights as a Pennsylvania worker that deserve protection. One of these is the right to a safe working environment.