“Report unsafe conditions to your supervisor.” That was OSHA’s reminder recently. Seems so simple, but it isn’t. For an employer to request that employees report unsafe conditions, both parties have to hold up their end of the agreements—employees need to report and employers need to respond to those reports.
My husband works in an office. He told me a co-worker has been having back pain from sitting. She was going to buy her own standing work station. She had not reported her concerns to her employer. As a safety person, this was really frustrating to me.
First, she has a right to work in a safe environment, which includes addressing ergonomic issues, such as sitting all day or a chair that isn’t adjusted for her. And, she has protection under the workers’ compensation system—if her back is bothering her at work, that is likely a work-related injury. Under workers comp, she would get appropriate treatment.
She did report it. And the company brought her a sit-stand workstation. But apparently it falls when it is in the standing position. Having done many ergonomic assessments and having experience with the sit-stand workstations in our office, I know the desk probably just needs to be tightened with a hex wrench. Maybe a five-minute fix with the right tools. But, again, the employee has not said anything.
I don’t know why she hasn’t told her supervisor. Is she afraid of some kind of retaliation? Is she concerned that she’ll be judged? Does she believe nothing will be done, so there is no point in saying anything?
It is one issue if an employer refuses to address hazards and another issue if they are willing to address issues but need employees to speak up. Not reporting is not fair to you, as the employee. It also is not fair to your employer. How can an employer address hazards that they are not aware of?