How to File an OSHA Complaint

The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) gives employees the right to file complaints about safety hazards and health risks in the workplace. If you believe there is a hazard at your workplace and you would like to file a complaint with OSHA, the following tips provide some guidance.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Decide how you want to file the complaint. Complaints can be filed online, in writing or over the telephone. Complaints should be filed with the OSHA office having jurisdiction over your workplace. The OSHA website has information regarding where your complaint should be filed.
2. Prepare your complaint. You can use OSHA's official forms that can be downloaded from their website in preparing your complaint or compose your own written explanation of the events giving rise to your complaint.
3. Include all necessary identifying information. Properly filed OSHA complaints should contain your employer's name, the physical and mailing address of the workplace where the problem arose, the name of the supervisor or site manager, telephone number of the management official and a description of the type of business.
4. Give a clear and detailed description of the safety hazard or health risk that prompted you to file an OSHA complaint. Provide dates that the hazard was observed and the names of any other witnesses to the hazard. Specify where the hazard was observed and whether the condition was brought to the attention of your employer. Attach any supporting documentation you have that supports the statements made in your complaint.
5. Understand what happens next. Depending upon the severity of the charges, OSHA categorizes complaints into inspection complaints or investigation complaints. Inspection complaints merit a visit to the workplace by an OSHA official. Investigation complaint result in a telephone call from OSHA to the employer for additional information and to request that the hazard described in the complaint be remedied.

Tips & Warnings

• You can elect not to have your name revealed to your employer when filing an OSHA complaint or even choose to make the complaint anonymously. Be aware that OSHA gives lower priority to those complaints filed anonymously.