Workplace Safety and Health Issues Affect Your Workplace Too
Safety and Health in the Workplace Affects Everyone
What type of setting do you think of when you consider workplace safety and health issues? Large industrial plants? Construction sites?
You may not realize it, but safety and health issues affect almost all workplaces, whether you work on a construction project, handle goods on a loading dock, or work in a Member’s personal office. Evacuation plans, fire safety, ergonomic issues, and physical hazards as simple as improper electric connections are all workplace safety and health issues. Even furniture can present a hazard if, for example, it blocks access to an emergency exit.
Because it affects everyone, workplace safety and health should be a priority for every employee and employer, and you should understand your rights and responsibilities.
Workplace Safety and Health Rights in Congress
The Congressional Accountability Act (CAA) requires that the Legislative Branch comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act and its standards requiring that the workplace be free of hazards that are likely to cause illness or injury. Both employing offices and employees must comply with these workplace safety requirements.
The General Counsel of the Office of Compliance is responsible for investigating suspected unsafe working conditions and prosecuting violations of workplace safety standards. An investigation of a suspected unsafe working condition may be requested by either an employing office or a covered Legislative Branch employee.
What You Should Know as an Employee
What can you as an employee do to help make your workplace safe? First, be sure you understand your rights. Visit our web site at www.compliance.gov, or contact the General Counsel’s office to learn more.
Second, make a commitment to safety in your workplace. Ask questions about potential safety and health risks, and be willing to point out potential hazards. By being vigilant, you may be able to prevent an accident before it occurs.
If you suspect an unsafe working condition exists in your workplace, be sure to inform your employer.
