What to Do When You Feel Unsafe at Work in Massachusetts

You likely spend much of your time at work, and feeling unsafe in that environment could not only lead to an unenjoyable professional life, but also a high risk of injury. When feeling endangered turns into being hurt in a workplace accident, reporting injuries becomes very important.

You can report concerns about the safety of your workplace before ever being injured, such as to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Workers can tell their managers or employers that they feel unsafe and explain why, creating a record of them speaking up. You can also document the dangerous conditions over time with pictures. If you are ultimately hurt at work, evidence of consistent unsafe work conditions because of an employer’s willful or wanton disregard for your safety could make let you claim additional damages from Workers’ Compensation.

The Law Office of John J. Sheehan’s Massachusetts workplace injury lawyers can review your case for free when you call (617) 925-6407 today.

What Can You Do if You Feel Unsafe in the Workplace in Massachusetts?

If you feel unsafe because you have already suffered injuries and workplace conditions have not improved or because you are facing a risk of injury, our attorneys can help you pinpoint the appropriate next steps to take.

For example, if there is a serious safety concern regarding the worksite itself and how it is managed, we could help you report your employer to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA would then investigate your complaint and the safety concerns you have cited, potentially levying fines against the employer. During investigations, OSHA agents might arrive at worksites unannounced to assess hazardous conditions and threats to workers’ safety and may also interview other employees of the company.

Documenting when you initially feel endangered at work, such as after an accident due to defective equipment that left peers injured, can also benefit you in the long run. Reporting hazards and concerns to supervisors in writing can create a record of the issue. When unsafe because of exposed wiring, poor training, or other dangerous worksite conditions, you might even take photos, particularly if you end up being injured in an accident because of those unsafe conditions.

Workers who deal with harassment in the workplace might feel unsafe in a totally different, yet just as valid manner. The Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination handles reports of this kind and investigates these matters, and our lawyers can help victims file these reports as well.

Do not feel as though there aren’t any options if you feel unsafe when you walk into work every day, apart from leaving your job. You have the right to safe working conditions and to inform regulatory agencies like OSHA when employers aren’t meeting their responsibilities.

Documenting Unsafe Conditions that Endanger Workers in Massachusetts

Having documentation of unsafe workplace conditions and your employer’s willful failure to address those unsafe conditions could lead to a larger recovery if you are hurt and seek Workers’ Compensation, which is the exclusive remedy in Massachusetts. Our attorneys can help you organize evidence to support your recovery in these cases. In these situations, the Workers’ Compensation benefits available are doubled, according to Mass. Gen. Laws Ch. 152, § 28.

Photos and Videos

If you notice the worksite being poorly maintained or cleaned, leading to hazardous conditions, you may photograph them when they are visible. Pictures of damaged or unsafe equipment workers are being made to use might show that their employers are ignoring safety regulations, like those set by OSHA. In addition to using the photos you took and maintained, we can take steps to preserve video footage from your workplace, potentially showing a recent accident caused by unsafe workplace conditions that you had previously voiced to your supervisor.

Internal Reports

Employees concerned about possible faulty equipment, lack of protective gear, exposure to toxic substances, or inadequate training for new hires can report their concerns directly to their employers. Copies of internal reports can show that you spoke up about the potential danger and risk of injury and should outline your employer’s response to the matter or lack thereof. Making repeated reports that go ignored may help us establish your employer’s willful disregard for your safety or that of other workers, leading to a much larger recovery from Workers’ Compensation.

Investigation Reports

When employees report injuries or safety concerns to OSHA, the agency may respond with onsite inspections at workplaces to investigate the complaint. The results of these investigations may show egregious violations of safety protocols and regulations. OSHA can keep the identities of employees who report employers confidential. Employers may not retaliate against employees who report unsafe working conditions, even if they tell their employers that they filed OSHA complaints. If you are retaliated against, such as by being fired or having your pay docked, tell our Boston workplace injury lawyers immediately.

Witness Statements

Witness statements may corroborate our assertions that your employer knew of unsafe working conditions and willfully ignored the risk to you and fellow workers. Peers who witnessed the same hazards and possibly also reported them can offer statements that show the employer’s continued refusal to address the dangerous conditions despite being routinely made aware of them. Witness statements can also help confirm the accident’s exact sequence of events. Though an employer’s willful and wanton misconduct can lead to double the Workers’ Compensation benefits, carriers might still look for reasons to deny claims, like arguing an employee caused their injuries intentionally and is using previous unsafe work conditions as an excuse. Eyewitness statements from those present at the time can help refute such assertions and risks for claim denials while also helping ensure you get the additional compensation you deserve for your injuries.

Call Our Lawyers in Massachusetts About Your Case

Call the Law Office of John J. Sheehan’s Somerville, MA workplace injury lawyers at (617) 925-6407 to discuss your case for free today.