No worker in Louisiana should be exposed to harm in the workplace. While some occupations are inherently dangerous, those dangers should never be because an employer is not providing proper safety equipment or following safety standards. If you feel your workplace is unnecessarily unsafe, then it is well within your rights to report it.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration is responsible for helping to ensure safe work environments. If you feel yours is unsafe, then you can file a report with OSHA and get your workplace inspected. You are guaranteed protection to make a report under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970. If you see something that is putting others at risk, it is your duty to report it and help prevent serious injuries.
It is important to report the situation as soon as possible, so OSHA has the ability to cite your employer if issues are found. Luckily, the agency makes it fairly easy to file a complaint. You can go online and use the online complaint form on the OSHA website. Do be aware that this method may not produce immediate results. The better option is submitting a written complaint that you have signed via the mail. You may also fax this to OSHA. You can call OSHA, but you cannot submit a complaint this way unless it is a true emergency situation. More often, calls to the agency are for questions only. Keep in mind that you can always contact OSHA about safety issues without worrying about retribution from your employer. This information is for education and is not legal advice.
