If, following this investigation, you believe the unsafe condition still exists, you may refuse to work. Either you or your employer must notify a government inspector.
The inspector must investigate in consultation with you, the employer, and a worker-selected member of the joint health and safety committee, or a union representative.
You are required to remain in a safe place near your workstation until the investigation is completed. During this time, you may be assigned other reasonable alternative work or directions by your employer.
The supervisor must investigate with you and take remedial action or recommend the appropriate action to the employer. If you are not satisfied with the remedy, contact your joint health and safety committee or employee health and safety representative. The committee or representative shall promptly investigate the situation and make recommendations. If the matter is still not resolved to your satisfaction, you may refer the matter to a government occupational health and safety officer who shall investigate and order remedial action by the employer.
If the inspector rules against you, then legally you must return to work, but you can appeal to the Director of Occupational Health and Safety. The supervisor must inform the workplace health and safety representative to examine and determine the corrective measures to be taken.
If the health and safety representative is not available, the union must be contacted. If you are not satisfied with the remedy, either you or your employer must contact a government inspector. The inspector must investigate your concerns and make recommendations.
A written report must be given to you, the employer and the health and safety representative. If the matter is still not resolved, you may appeal within ten days to the governmental review office.
The employer must remedy the situation or inform the occupational health and safety committee. If unresolved, the committee must investigate and advise you of the decision. If you are not satisfied with the remedy, or there is no committee, the government occupational health officer must be notified. The officer must investigate your concerns and make recommendations.
A written report must be given to you and the employer. Don't let management provoke you into rash action that could hurt your case later. All CWA members should make sure that their employer is maintaining a safe and healthful workplace. The key to making the workplace safe for all CWA members is strong, active local safety and health committees. The committee can identify dangerous conditions at the workplace and discuss them with management.
If the employer refuses to cooperate, the committee can request an OSHA inspection. The committee should always coordinate its activities through the local officers, the CWA Representatives, and negotiated safety and health committees. Washington, D. Your employer may need to OSHA for advice on improving the working conditions or controlling hazards.
As an employee, you have a legal right to refuse work if you have reason to believe that a hazard poses a serious or imminent risk. To report an imminent danger, call OSHA immediately. An employee has the right to refuse work if that refusal is in good faith, meaning that they genuinely believe and have reasonable grounds to believe that they are exposed to imminent danger.
An employee does not have the right to walk off the jobsite after refusing unsafe work. OSHA may not be able to protect you if you leave and the worksite and your employer terminates your employment. The employer may not, however, take any such action against you if they have asked you to leave until the hazard is controlled.
If you fear that you may be discriminated against if you refuse unsafe work, or that your employer might take other forms of retaliatory action against you, know that the OSHA Act and other legislation are in place to protect you. OSHA also has whistleblower protection programs if your employer refuses to rectify dangerous working conditions.
Remember, you're not alone out there. Unsafe working conditions can affect your coworkers and visitors to your worksite. That's why reporting and refusing unsafe work isn't just your ring — it's also your responsibility.
Written by Kristen Hansen. Subscribe to the Safeopedia newsletter to stay on top of current industry trends and up-to-date know-how from subject matter authorities. Your employer or supervisor may temporarily assign a new task to you, at no loss in pay. WorkSafeBC Home. Need coverage? Manage your account Get a clearance letter Know how much coverage costs Apply for coverage. About Us.
0コメント