Medical professionals work hard to keep their clients safe and healthy. As a healthcare worker, your goal and role in society is to protect and care for others. OSHA’s health and safety complaint system expands your ability to help your patients and coworkers, allowing you to notify the Department of Labor of concerns and hazards in your workplace.
No matter your position in the clinic, you have the right to share your concerns about the health and safety of your workplace. Protect your patients and medical office from hazards and learn three things to know about filing a health and safety complaint.
When To File a Complaint
Maintaining a healthy and safe work environment involves tending to hazards effectively and promptly. As soon as you notice a hazard, share the news. If you see something, say something. If your higher-ups and managers dismiss or don’t act on tending to the health and safety risks, file a complaint with the Department of Labor. The sooner you bring attention to an onsite danger, the faster the hazard gets resolved.
Additionally, undergoing medical OSHA training gives you insight into what hazards to look out for and monitor in your workplace. With proper education about the possible dangers in your job, you’ll be better equipped to file a concern and keep your medical office safe.
How To Submit a Complaint
OSHA offers multiple possible forms of contact. You can submit your health and safety complaint online through their website, via fax, phone, email, or postal mail, or by visiting one of their local offices. Filing a complaint in person or via a phone call allows you to converse with a professional and gain more insight into the next steps of addressing your concerns.
How To Build Your Case
Every complaint needs a case. Providing a detailed report gives your local OSHA team more information to work off of and better helps them grasp the urgency of the situation. After all, the goal of filing a complaint is to put in motion steps to resolve and mitigate further health and safety risks—not simply complain to officials. The information you need to address in your complaint case includes the following:
- The name and location of your establishment
- The name of your employer and contact details
- Identification and description of the hazardous condition
- Which and how many people are exposed to and affected by the hazard
- Hazard time frame (e.g., when did it start? Is it ongoing?)
- Whether you brought up your concerns to your employer or supervisor
- Records of injury, past and present
Keep these three things to know about filing a health and safety complaint on hand to prepare yourself if a workplace hazard arises. Addressing and informing OSHA officials about any danger present at work allows OSHA to set up an inspection and begin mitigating the risks and resolving the situation at hand. When you file a health and safety complaint, you are protecting your patients, fellow staff members, and yourself.