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OSHA Standards and
Workplace Hazards |
Employees' Rights
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Review copies of appropriate
standards, rules, regulations, and requirements that the employer
should have available at the workplace.
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Request information from the
employer on safety and health hazards in the workplace, precautions that may
be taken, and procedures to be followed if the employee is involved in an
accident or is exposed to toxic substances.
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Have access to relevant employee
exposure and medical records.
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Request the OSHA area director
to conduct an inspection if they believe hazardous conditions or violations
of standard exist in the workplace.
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Have an authorized employee
representative accompany the OSHA compliance officer during the inspection
tour.
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Respond to questions from the
OSHA compliance officer, particularly if there is no authorized employee
representative accompanying the compliance officer on the inspection
"walkaround."
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Observe any monitoring or
measuring of hazardous materials and see the resulting records, as specified
under the OSH Act, and as required by OSHA standards.
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Have an authorized
representative, or themselves, review the Log and Summary of Occupational
Injuries at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner.
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Object to the abatement period
set by OSHA for correcting any violation in the citation issued to the
employer by writing to the OSHA area director within 15 working days from
the date the employer receives the citation.
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Submit a written request to the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) for
information on whether any substance in the workplace has potentially toxic
effects in the concentration being used, and have their names withheld from
the employer, if so requested.
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Be notified by the employer if
the employer applies for a variance from an OSHA standard, and testify at a
variance hearing, and appeal the final decision.
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Have their names withheld from their employer, upon request
to OSHA, if they sign and file a written complaint.
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Be advised of OSHA actions regarding a complaint and request
an informal review of any decision not to inspect or to issue a citation.
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File a Section 11(c) discrimination complaint if punished
for exercising the above rights or for refusing to work when faced with
imminent danger of death or serious injury and there is insufficient time
for OSHA to inspect; or file a Section 31105 reprisal complaint (under the Surface
Transportation Assistance Act (STAA)).
Right to Know
Employers must establish a written,
comprehensive hazard communication program that includes provisions for
container labeling, material safety data sheets, and an employee training
program. The program must include a list of the hazardous chemicals in
each work area, the means the employer uses to inform employees of the hazards
of non-routine tasks, hazards associated with chemicals in unlabeled pipes, and
the way the employer will inform other employers of the hazards to which their
employees may be exposed.
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