Part 3 What are the barriers to exercising my right to a safe and healthful workplace?

Quick Check

Employers who place their employees in danger are...

...at high risk of enforcement and penalties.

This is incorrect. OSHA has 1,850 inspectors responsible for the health and safety of 130 million workers. Routine inspections are extremely unlikely. Some employers do not know about OSHA requirements, and many workers do not know of their rights or may be afraid to file a complaint against their employer.

...unlikely to be penalized unless workers file a complaint.

This is correct. OSHA has 1,850 inspectors responsible for the health and safety of 130 million workers. Routine inspections are extremely unlikely. Some employers do not know about OSHA requirements, and many workers do not know of their rights or may be afraid to file a complaint against their employer.

The Fight for Stronger Health and Safety Protections

Workers and their advocates have struggled for generations for stronger health and safety protections. Unions, worker centers and community-based organizations continue to fight to improve worker protections during this pandemic.

The challenge is that there have never been sufficient resources to effectively enforce federal and state safety and health requirements. Many employers ignore their legal obligations and the fact that workers have crucial health and safety rights under federal and state law. They do this because:

Some employers, especially small employers, may know very little about health and safety and their legal obligations
Employers often prioritize profits or so-called “productivity” over safety
Employers have little chance of being caught for violating health and safety requirements
Most workers are afraid to complain because they can’t afford to lose their job and COVID -19 is just one more example

The good news is that we do not have to wait for public agencies to take the first step! You have the right to a healthy workplace. Talking with your co-workers can help you understand risks and decide best how to move forward. And even if you don’t have a union, there are other worker organizations ready to support you!

Sources

https://www.osha.gov/data/commonstats

https://nationalcosh.org/COVID_Rights_and_Strategies-Employer_Responsibilities

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