As you may know, certain jobs are inherently more dangerous than others. For example, a construction worker generally faces a greater risk of injury on a day-to-day basis than an office worker does. That being said, OSHA violations can occur in all lines of work, and often, they lead to very serious injuries. For this reason, some employees will report the violation to ensure the issue is remedied and the workspace is saved for others. OSHA, (short for The Occupational Safety and Health Administration) is tasked with inspecting and examining workplaces to ensure they are safe. When safety violations are reported to OSHA, employers are often fined, at the very least. Unfortunately, because of this, employers will sometimes retaliate against their employees for reporting these violations. That said, if this has happened to you, we are here to help. Contact a dedicated Atlanta employment retaliation attorney from Ben Barrett Law to learn more.
What are some of the most common OSHA violations?
As you can imagine, the specific violations depend on the workplace, however, the most common overall OSHA violations we see are as follows:
- Neglecting to provide workers with protective equipment, such as eyewear or hardhats
- Failing to develop a fire prevention plan
- Unsafe ladders or scaffolds
- Neglecting to conduct regular workspace inspections
- Code violations
- Failing to meet respirator standard requirements
Can I lose my job for reporting an OSHA violation?
Though employers may potentially lash out at employees for reporting OSHA violations, they are not allowed to under the law. In fact, employees are specifically protected from retaliation for reporting OSHA violations. If you reported an OSHA violation and were retaliated against in some way, including being fired, demoted, or harassed, you should strongly consider retaining the services of a seasoned Atlanta whistleblower lawyer from our firm. We can help you file a claim against your employer and work to recover compensation for the damages you’ve incurred as a result.
Contact Ben Barrett Law today to schedule your initial consultation with our seasoned Atlanta employment law firm. We are here to fight for you, every step of the way.
