When you encounter a safety concern at work, you may adopt the attitude that someone else will probably report it. You may have guessed right, but doing your due diligence to report hazards can help you protect yourself and those around you.
Another reason you may refrain from reporting concerns is out of fear of repercussions. Knowing the right way to report hazards and what to do if the response falls below your expectations may allow you to have the confidence to move forward with your decision to file a complaint.
Report and discuss
The most basic thing you can do is to talk with your boss. Bring up your concerns and request a follow-up regarding a solution. If you continue to notice nothing happening, you may want to write a formal report and give it to the human resources department. They may ask you to provide evidence of your concerns. Taking a photo may strengthen your position and help others to see the validity of your concern.
If you feel inclined, you may participate in finding a solution to correct the safety issue. Your involvement may encourage others of your coworkers to participate in advocating for their safety.
Next steps
After issuing a formal report, you may still notice nothing happening. If the hazard you recognize presents an active threat to the safety, health and well-being of you and others, you may want to take your concerns to someone with more power. According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, you have the right to file a confidential complaint against your employer through OSHA. This may trigger an investigation to determine whether or not the hazard violates federal standards.
You should not have to worry about your safety when you are at work each day. If you have suffered a workplace injury because of your employer’s negligence, you may take legal action to press for compensation for the trauma you have endured.