Phoenix Construction Accident Lawyers
Attorney Representation in Phoenix, Arizona Since 1996
Phoenix Construction Accident
The construction industry is the most dangerous by far for workers globally, domestically and in our own Arizona backyard. In today's world of laws, regulations, guidelines and rules, it takes one aback to realize that no workplace standards were in place before 1970 when Congress passed the Occupational and Safety Health Act (OSHA). OSHA sets the workplace standards that employers must adhere to in order to provide a workplace free from safety and health hazards, especially in construction. OSHA is a division of the U.S. Department of Labor that oversees the administration of the Act and enforces standards in all 50 states.
Arizona followed suit in 1985 with an OSHA-approved plan. The Industrial Commission of Arizona (ICA) administers the State Plan, and the Arizona Division of Occupational Safety and Health (ADOSH) within the ICA enforces the regulations and voluntary compliance. The ADOSH headquarters are in Phoenix with additional offices in Tucson.
A construction site is a hub of activity where everyone focuses on his or her individual task with the bottom line being completion of the job quickly and under budget. The primary employer, site supervisors and even workers may violate safety regulations. It's an accident waiting to happen, and all too often, the accident is fatal.
If you think your Phoenix construction job is unsafe, you can ask OSHA for an inspection. You or your representative have the right to file a complaint and request an OSHA inspection of your construction work site if you believe there is a serious hazard or your employer is not following OSHA standards. First, however, OSHA recommends that you attempt to resolve safety and health issues first within your chain of command. If the issues are not resolved in a timely fashion or if the violations are grossly blatant, you should proceed with the formal complaint. Please note that you should file your Arizona complaint with ADOSH as complaints to the federal arm are forwarded to the state plan for review and action.
OSHA takes complaints seriously and keeps your information confidential even though it is against the law for an employer to fire, demote, transfer or discriminate in any way against a worker who files a complaint or uses other OSHA rights. If your employer does punish you for acting within your employee rights or if you refuse to work when faced with an imminent danger of death or serious injury without OSHA having sufficient time to inspect, you must file a discrimination complaint with OSHA and ADOSH within 30 days of the reprisal. No form is required, but you must call or send a letter setting forth the allegations of discrimination. Complete details regarding the filing of complaints are available on the OSHA and ADOSH websites.
It goes without saying that as your Phoenix construction injury lawyers, we will be happy to assist you in this process or act as your representative. Please feel free to call our construction accident lawyers at The Breyer Law Offices today. The safety of a human life outweighs by far the bottom line of an extra dollar.
