How Do You Report an Unsafe Work Environment?

When you go to work, you expect to come home safely at the end of the day. That means your employer is expected to provide a safe working environment. If they fail to do so, you could suffer a workplace injury.

One way to protect yourself from an unsafe work environment is to report potential dangers as soon as you identify them. This guide will help you understand your rights as an employee and learn how to report hazards to the appropriate authorities.

Understanding Your Rights and Protections

The Wyoming Department of Workforce Services (DWS) protects the safety of employees who work in the state. It has established a number of Safety & Health programs that set safety standards for every type of workplace in the state.

Information about these standards is available online, and anyone can easily access them. If you believe your employer isn’t obeying the standards for your industry, you have the right to report that violation to an appropriate monitor within your workplace or the government.

Internal Reporting Procedures

Since employers can potentially be held liable for injuries caused by an unsafe work environment, many workplaces have internal reporting procedures that allow them to easily correct hazardous working conditions.

These procedures don’t just protect workers — they also help protect the employer from being on the wrong end of a lawsuit for unsafe work environments.

Typically, the internal reporting process will involve notifying one or more of the following:

• Human resources personnel
• A supervisor or manager
• An in-house safety committee
• A team safety officer

Many workplaces create safety hotlines that connect you directly with the appropriate party. That means you don’t need to know exactly who to contact as long as you have a number to dial. Most modern workplaces also have direct ways of reporting safety concerns online.

External Reporting Options

If your workplace doesn’t have internal reporting options or you believe your supervisors are ignoring safety concerns, you can also go up the chain by contacting a state or federal agency. For example, OSHA allows any employee to report a safety or health complaint within six months of the violation.

State and federal governments take safety violations seriously. A complaint will typically trigger an investigation, which may result in fines and your employer being forced to correct the situation.

Anonymity and Whistleblower Protections

You have the right to remain anonymous when reporting a safety violation. Many workplaces provide methods for anonymously reporting safety concerns internally, and OSHA allows all workers to submit complaints anonymously.

Unfortunately, you can’t report anonymously to OSHA if you’re acting as a whistleblower, which means reporting intentional violations of state or federal safety standards.

That said, state and federal governments offer special protections for whistleblowers. These protections prevent your employer from retaliating against you by firing you, cutting your hours, or otherwise making your work life difficult.

The Role of a Workplace Safety Attorney

A workplace safety attorney offers several key benefits.

First, they can help protect you against retaliation. Your lawyer will establish a record of your employer’s standard behavior before you file a safety report and then monitor them for inappropriate behavior afterward.

If your employer retaliates in any way, your attorney can represent you in a workplace discrimination lawsuit. As mentioned, whistleblowers are a protected class that has inalienable rights under the law.

Similarly, if you were hurt due to unsafe working conditions, a workplace safety lawyer can help you file a workers’ compensation claim. While these claims should be relatively simple, many insurers make it difficult for employees to get fair compensation. Your attorney will protect your rights and help you get the money you’re owed.

FAQ

Is It Retaliation if My Employer Transferred Me After I Reported Unsafe Conditions in the Workplace?

It depends on the situation. However, any transfer within 90 days of a worker reporting unsafe conditions should be considered suspect. If the transfer made your work environment less pleasant, you may have been retaliated against.

Can I Report Conditions at an Offsite Location?

Yes. If you work at an offsite location that’s dangerous, you can and should report it to your employer immediately. Even if they don’t have the power to rectify the situation, they can take appropriate action to protect you.

Do I Need to Be Represented by a Lawyer to Report Unsafe Work Conditions?

While it isn’t necessary to work with a lawyer, they can ensure that your voice is heard. You’re less likely to be targeted for retaliation if you’re represented by a lawyer who’s willing to protect your rights.

Contact The Spence Law Firm to File an Unsafe Work Environment Lawsuit

If you’ve noticed unsafe work conditions at your workplace, it’s crucial to report the situation as quickly as possible. Having a dedicated legal professional from The Spence Law Firm on your side will ensure that you’re taken seriously.

Contact us to consult a workplace safety lawyer and begin gathering evidence to support your claim as soon as possible.