Workplace Safety Laws: How to Keep Yourself and Coworkers Safe!

By Matthew T. Hurm, Esq.

The Hurm Law Firm provides excellent legal representation for when someone hurts themselves at work. It is vital that a worker has strong representation when they face a work injury to ensure they get all the benefits and medical service they deserve. But what if a worker wants to help avoid dangerous situations before a work injury takes place? The Hurm Law Firm is experienced in helping workers ensure their workplace is safe and helps avoid injuries!

Every workplace has unique conditions which can make it dangerous to workers. Manufacturing plants can often have dangerous jobs working with heavy metals, welding, or cutting positions which can cause deadly injuries with a simple mistake. Even office jobs without safe typing equipment or furniture can lead employees into a lifetime of painful carpal tunnel injuries or bad backs.

Workplaces have historically been quite dangerous. Prior to the passage of the Occupational Safety and Health Act (“OSHA”), workplace accidents were far more prevalent.

Work Injury Rates, Manufacturing and Coal Mining, 1926-1970
(Per Million Manhours)

Year		Manufacturing	Coal Mining
1926		24.2	—
1931		18.9	89.9
1939		14.9	69.5
1945		18.6	60.7
1950		14.7	53.3
1960		12.0	43.4
1970		15.2	42.6

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce Bureau of the Census, Historical Statistics of the United States, Colonial Times to 1970 (Washington, 1975), Series D-1029 and D-1031.

While the improvements have been impressive after the passage of OSHA, the law depends almost entirely on brave workers to report workplace issues. If you have identified dangerous workplace conditions which could or have led to workplace injuries you should do the following:

1. Record or Journal the Issue.

Recording the issue includes taking pictures of the dangerous activity, keeping a journal of the incidents that took place, including any injuries suffered, and keeping track of any witnesses that would be willing to testify to the dangerous conditions.

2. Speak with an Attorney.

Every dangerous workplace condition is different. It is important you speak with an experienced attorney that has worked on these kinds of workplace conditions. The Hurm Law Firm offers free consultations to discuss dangerous workplace conditions. You just need to sign up for a call through Calendly or call (216) 860-1922 and we will call you to schedule a free consultation.

3. Have the Attorney send a Demand letter to the Company Requiring Changes.

A good attorney should be able to draft a letter demanding the company fix an ongoing dangerous workplace condition. Assuming the dangerous workplace breaks a workplace regulation set by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, an employee complaining about the dangerous atmosphere can be protected by whistleblower laws.

4. Initiate a Charge with Occupational Safety and Health Administration

If the company does not correct the dangerous workplace conditions after the demand letter is sent and a reasonable amount of time is given, then a charge with Occupational Safety and Health Administration is necessary. The government agency will assign an investigator to look into the workplace issue and determine if it violated state or federal laws or Occupational Safety and Health Administration regulations. We will provide them with the evidence and witnesses you provided in your recording and journaling of the issue and provide any other information the investigator requires.

The Hurm Law Firm strives to keep Ohio workplaces safe and are proud to represent workers to both protect them when they are injured and help them avoid workplace injuries in the first place. If you are interested in a free consultation, sign up for a call through Calendly or call (216) 860-1922