The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, and the federal administration agency OSHA were created to establish workplace safety as a top priority across industries. Yet as a global pandemic ravages through staff ranks, OSHA appears to be playing games.
If it worked how it should, OSHA would dispatch inspectors to investigate potential hazards on the job and would issue citations and fines as a consequence to employers who endanger their employees.
But they’ve decreased enforcement under the current administration and aren’t enforcing CDC health guidelines! Guess what that means for you as a worker.
Employees, especially essential front line workers, are encouraged to stay vigilant for potential violations of health code standards.
If you’re endangered by violations such as poor ventilation, improper storage of machinery, or a lack of personal protective equipment like masks, you have the right to file an anonymous and/or confidential complaint with state-run agencies such as the Department of Public Safety or Department of Health instead.
“Both the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have [only] published [VOLUNTARY] guidance for employers on steps they can take to protect workers from COVID-19 transmission.
Workers and their advocates should use these guidelines to advocate for strong enforceable protections in the workplace,” states the National Employment Law Project in their Worker Safety And Health During COVID-19 Pandemic: Rights And Resources Toolkit.