Protecting Yourself from Unsafe Working Conditions

Although your employer is legally obligated to provide you with a safe working environment, every profession has its own potential hazards, whether they are physical, emotional or psychological, leading to some form of harm to your health and well-being. However, employees often fail to realize their rights, and without proper protection, you could potentially expose yourself to further dangers.

There are many common workplace situations that can cause you harm, and educating yourself on the proper procedure can help you protect yourself and seek compensations for mishaps that occur despite your best efforts.

Report to the right people

First and foremost – prevention is key, so keep your eyes wide open. Much like a construction worker needs to check the safety of the scaffolding to prevent injuries, even the simplest oversight in your office could be devastating. For instance, a slippery area with no protective mats, exposed wiring, or intertwined cables on the floor where people walk by can all pose a risk to your safety.

As soon as you notice a hazard that can lead to a severe injury or even death, report to The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Each employer needs to provide safe working conditions in accordance with OSHA’s standards, but in the case of minor safety issues that don’t present an immediate danger, you can file a report directly to your employer.

Read up on your rights

A safe work environment entails many factors, and the more you know about your position and the prerequisites for safe daily operations, the more you can protect yourself from potential risks and threats. Have you been trained for the position, safety training and conflict management included? Does your employer posses all the relevant safe work method statements? Have you been notified of any customers who have a history of violent behavior?

From day one, your employer and supervisors need to inform you on any safety measure changes, whether all the security cameras and alarms are up to date, and if it’s possible (or even needed) to avoid working alone in certain circumstances. Whatever your job may entail, you should be aware of your rights and the legal responsibilities of your employer in terms of providing a safe workplace.

Learn about your own responsibilities

Sure, your employer needs to make sure that you and your colleagues are safe at all times, but you should also be aware of your contribution to collective responsibility – you are also held accountable for any action that may cause unsafe work conditions or put your colleagues or yourself in jeopardy.

The way you respond to threats or unsafe conditions can either alleviate or aggravate the situation, and if you’ve been trained properly, you should make sure that you do all you can to prevent a conflict or a dangerous situation. More often than not, your performance will be a major factor in how well you can maintain a safe working environment, so always strive to contribute and safeguard your own as well as the safety of your colleagues.

Seek legal help

Even when everything seems to be under control things can, unfortunately, go awry. No matter the level of your injury, how minor or insignificant it may seem, you need to make sure that you are provided with proper care and claim any benefits your contract offers in such circumstances. That may be a few extra days off to recover, paid leave, financial compensation, counselling or anything that can speed up your recuperation.

When you are uncertain what steps to take, it’s a good idea to turn to legal experts who can guide you through the process and offer you legal advice. They can help even in cases of emotional or psychological injury, which can be equally severe and debilitating, especially if you are expected to resume work in near future.

A safe working environment takes into consideration both your physical and your mental well-being, and employer’s duty is to make sure that you are protected at all times. Still, your own contribution and awareness can help you safeguard your own rights and go to work every day with a peace of mind.