You are responsible for reading workplace safety and health posters and instructions availed at the job site. You also have to follow the employer safety and health conditions to the latter and rely on any provided protective facilities including clothes to keep yourself away from harm. On the other hand, you have rights to workplace conditions that employers must adhere to so that there is a mutual cover of all personal health in the workplace. The following considerations should be beneficial as you work towards understanding your workplace rights regarding health.
Your Employer Should Protect Your Health
The common law says that employers are responsible for the health and safety of workers and any failure to do that would be cause for neglect. You can sue the employer under common law as long as you have evidence to the contrary of providing safety and health precautions knowingly. The application of the common law will also depend on your jurisdiction and the seriousness of the allegation. Nevertheless, the fact is that your employer must treat you fairly to prevent any intentional damage to your health.
Additional Rights Based on Occupational Health Safety Law
The law states that you have a right to safe and healthy working environment. You also have a right to consultation about health and safety issue that is going to affect you. Thus, employers must inform you of any changes that would be touching your rights under the occupational health and safety law. Furthermore, the employer must offer you facilities for welfare. They include washrooms, first aid, and eating areas.
Protection from Harmful Hazard
The employer must shield you from potential health hazards and offer you accommodation when necessary to meet this obligation. Workers have rights to safe working environments, and they need the information that helps them make correct choices about their work procedures, safety equipment, and risk avoidance strategies. Thus, you have a right to consultation and information against hazardous conditions and materials.
Your Rights Apply Irrespective of Your Positions
The workplace health rights apply to all workers and all workplaces irrespective of the job title. Do expect managers to have more rights than subordinates in any work as the law looks at these conditions based on human life and not job titles. Furthermore, the type of work you do might only affect the rights in regards to their application. For instance, the workers in a managerial position would not require safety clothing as much as those in the plant do.
Talk to a Legal Assistant for Further Clarification
You should approach a lawyer to seek advice whenever you think there are grounds for raising an issue with the employer for abusing your health rights in the workplace. You may qualify for compensation and other considerations when you can prove that the employer neglected obligations under the common law and specific Acts for the specified health conditions. Furthermore, lawyers also come in handy when an injury in the workplace affects your health. They will help you to negotiate for compensation from the employer.