OSHA News

OSHA Accepts Worker Complaints Online

Workers can now use the Internet to file formal complaints with OSHA about safety and health hazards at their workplaces. Previously, employees had to either call or write OSHA to file a complaint.

The Workers' Page, available on OSHA's home page, at www.osha.gov, features an easy-to-use system that requires complainants to enter their name, telephone number, employer's name, a description of the hazard and its location. The form is automatically transferred for follow-up to the appropriate OSHA office within the complainant's state.

All online complaints are investigated and many can be resolved informally - usually by telephone and FAX - with the employer. Those complaints not formally resolved are likely to result in onsite inspections. Complaints are one of the primary means OSHA uses to target work sites for inspection.