Construction Workers

OSHA Rights of Employees and Employers - Building Accidents

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ensured that employee rights and employers obligations have been established in accord with the regulations set down to make sure that every workplace is safe at all times.

Employee rights include:

* To access and review a copy of all workplace safety standards, rules, regulations and other mandates at work as needed and desired.

* The right to have access or to view an employee exposure or medical records as they wish to do so is required. Employees cannot review the medical records of other employees, as the medical records right only applies to their own personal medical records.

* To request an OSHA official or other qualified person to conduct an inspection at the workplace when employee concerns rise over potential dangers and hazards there, and also have the right to have a representative accompany the official throughout the inspection and present during discussion with the employer.

* To require their names remain undisclosed to their employer, upon request, if they endorse and submit such a request as a written compliant.

* To be free of any action that might be deemed discriminatory or retaliatory in nature on the part of the employer due to any OSHA compliant request.

Obligations Of Employers:

* To provide all employees a safe workplace at all times.

* To disclose all employees of all OSHA standards, rules, regulations and other mandates as they pertain to the workplace.

* Employers have to place an official OSHA chart of the official standards, regulations and rules in an area employees regularly access, like a high traffic area.

* Employers have to develop a comprehensive hazard communication plan. The plan must offer proper container labeling, material information being used at work and safety sheets for employee review. In addition, it's required of the employers to give training to all employees on workplace safety.

* To disclose all medical and exposure records to every employee upon their being hired and every year thenceforth as needed or wanted by the employee.

If a construction worker is injured physically or killed as a result of workplace situation, the employee or the family of the deceased employee does carry a right to collect damages due to them by law. These damages can include lost wager, medical bill hardships, costs for rehabilitation, compensation for emotional distress, pain and suffering compensation, financial compensation and other punitive damages for negligence. Worker's Compensation is given to all workers injured while working.

If you were involved in an accident at a construction job, you are encouraged to contact a lawyer with experience in construction injury law, immediately. An experienced lawyer can help you get the compensation you lawfully deserve and need.