Safety inspections

You have the right to a safe and healthy workplace.

Under federal law, you are entitled to a safe and healthy workplace. Your employer must provide a workplace free of known health and safety hazards. If you have concerns about your workplace health and safety, you have the right to speak up about them without fear of retaliation.

Close up of a group of workers working in a warehouse

Questions?
We’re here to help.

For additional assistance, please contact:

OSHA at 1-800-321-6742

All discussions between OSHA and employees or their representatives are free and confidential. Safety and health complaints from employees or their representatives are taken seriously by OSHA, and OSHA will keep their information confidential.

You have the right to:

  • request an inspection from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and speak to the inspector.

You also have the right to:

  • be trained in a language you understand.
  • work on machines that are safe.
  • be provided required personal protective equipment or PPE, such as gloves or a harness and lifeline for falls. See OSHA’s Employer Payment Guidelines for what type of equipment is covered.
  • be protected from toxic chemicals.
  • report a work-related injury or illness, and get copies of your medical records.
  • see copies of the workplace injury and illness log.
  • review records of work-related injuries and illnesses.
  • get copies of test results done to find hazards in the workplace.

You have a right to a safe and healthy workplace regardless of your immigration status.

Additional resources

Need more information?
The elaws (Employment Laws Assistance for Workers and Small Businesses) Advisors are a set of online tools developed by the U.S. Department of Labor to help employees and employers understand their rights and responsibilities under Federal employment laws.