Why you need to know your rights as a construction worker
Construction workers are continuously exposed to dangerous working environments, and the chances of accidents and injuries are high. As such, strong safety regulations are essential and employers should extend certain rights to the construction workers. The construction workers need to know their rights so that they can claim compensation for their injuries. Read on to learn the reasons why you need to know your rights as a construction worker.
Right to Safety
Under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), each employee in the construction industry has a right to safety. Safety in the workplace must be the number one priority and the employer is responsible for anything that may happen to the employees during work. In case of accidents or injuries, you should know that your employer is responsible and you are entitled to get benefits depending on the injuries that you suffer.
The other important thing that you should know is that you have the right to view workplace requirements, regulations, and standards. It is your right to understand the rules that guide the operations of the company so that you can get compensation if you are injured. You can also raise issues of concern with your employer if you feel that the working environment is not safe. If you feel that the workplace is not safe, you can request an OSHA inspection.
Get Legal Representation
When you believe that you have been injured as a result of someone’s fault, you are eligible to get compensation for injuries as well as damage to property. However, you can still get something even if you feel that you were at fault in the accident. To achieve this, you need sound legal representation by an experienced injury attorney. It is important to consult your lawyer and you must avoid talking to other people about the accident since this can jeopardize your claim. You also need to gather evidence that you can use in your claim so that you can recover benefits from the accident. The main benefit of consulting your lawyer is that they will give you the right advice following an accident.
Protection Against Toxic Chemicals
The employer has a right and a duty to protect all workers against toxic chemicals that can be harmful to health. The employer needs to provide the right gear and safety clothing to all workers to prevent injuries in the workplace. If you feel that your safety is compromised, you can demand the right gear from your employer to prevent unprecedented injuries. You also have a right to work with machines that are safe in the construction industry.
Right to Use the Language That You Understand
Communication barriers can lead to accidents in the workplace. Therefore, you have a right to be trained in the language that you understand when you are working around the construction site. The employer is responsible for promoting the use of common language that can be understood by all workers regardless of background or culture. This helps eliminate the causes of misunderstanding that can lead to accidents.
Right to Medical Copies
When you are injured in the workplace, you are entitled to get the best medication and you should also access your medical records. You are also entitled to see all the injury logs to ensure that they are true. The employee also has the right to access all medical records in the workplace. If you feel that you have been treated unfairly, you have a right to file a complaint with OSHA or any other responsible authorities so that you can seek redress.
Protection Against Discrimination
Every worker in the construction industry has a right to protection against any form of discrimination. If you file an OSHA complaint, your employer has no right to victimize you or retaliate for taking that course of action. The other issue is that the employee’s name may not be disclosed to the employer if they file a complaint. This helps to prevent cases of victimization that may arise following complaints by the employees.
When you work in the construction industry, your employer has a responsibility to ensure safety for all employees within the site. It is vital that you know your rights since the working environment in the construction industry is dangerous. In case of an accident that leads to injuries, you are entitled to get compensation from the employer or their insurance company. The benefit you get should cover medical expenses, loss of income, and pain among other factors. To get the compensation that you deserve, it is important to enlist the services of a professional injury lawyer.
