You have the right to a safe workplace. If you believe that your workplace presents any unreasonable hazards or health risks, you may want to report this the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Under the law, you have the right to make a report without fear of retaliation.
There are several types of violations of OSHA rules that you should be aware of before making a complaint. The following are some of the most common workplace safety violations under OSHA regulations.
De minimis violations
Some situations are theoretically a violation of OSHA regulations, but they do not present any danger or health risk. These are not considered to be serious, but they will be noted down by an inspector.
Serious violations
Serious violations are issues that present a good chance of causing serious injury, and those in which the employer either knows about or should know about. These types of violations can lead to a fine for employers.
Willful violations
The most serious OSHA violation is reserved for instances when an employer shows a complete disregard for the safety of workers by intentionally violating the rules. If an employee is killed as a result of this type of violation, it becomes a criminal offense.
Repeated violations
If subsequent inspections show that an employer has continued to violate OSHA regulations in similar ways, they will face more serious penalties for repeated violations.
If you have been injured in the workplace, you do not need to prove that your employer violated OSHA rules to claim workers’ compensation. You only need to show that you became injured as a result of engaging in work-related activities.
