Topic: Serious problem with work.

[Caaveman82]

Ok, our equipment is old and does not do it's intended job any more and is becoming a saftey hazard more and more by the day.

We have these dyes, that have been broken and welded back together, crooked, and do not fit in the wheels, so when you heat one up, they fly out at you, and they are hot. So I started holding the ram in place well the dye still flew out and I ended up loosing my finger nail about ten minutes ago. It hurts.

I want to make the demand that we get new equipment, but honestly I cannot afford to loose my job and there are plenty people who'd like it right now. The owner has fired people for less. So I don't know what to do. I think I should be able to do my job without KNOWING that I am in for some kind of injury every time I have to use this busted and out dated equipment but I also know the stuff is expensive. I don't know what to do but if I loose a finger I'll be pisssed.

[mlinder]

Let it hurt you, and sue for damages and negligence

[Caaveman82]

That's all good in theory but I'd rather just be able to work without the fear of injury.

[texaninseattle]

Contact OSHA?

[Caaveman82]

I have thought about that but I really want to get this done without causing a lot of waves. It's a small shop and everyone here relys on their paycheck, if I eff with this place too much I eff with the employee's livelyhood.

[Bob Wessner]

Contact OSHA?

+1 http://www.osha.gov/html/Feed_Back.html, though it sounds like you need some anonymity. How large a shop is it? Do you think you can do it without being tagged as the whistle blower?

[FunJimmy]

Here in Canada we have "Work Safe", previously Workers Compensation.
They are a government run employee benefits department that will randomly visit employers to ensure that all unsafe work places are brought to code.

Don't you have a similar state or county department that addresses issues like these?

You can't be expected to continue working in an environment that you know will eventually injure or kill someone.

[alltherightpills]

Contact OSHA?

+1 http://www.osha.gov/html/Feed_Back.html, though it sounds like you need some anonymity. How large a shop is it? Do you think you can do it without being tagged as the whistle blower?

. 

I'm pretty postitive that whistle blowers are almost always protected from the employer by the law, because authorities want to encourage this type of behavior. 

If you are worried about it, have a friend call it in.

[Inkscars]

Do they provide insurance? If so, just go to the dr. everytime you get hurt.
I don't know about there, but let's say one of our guys hurts himself and has to go to corporate care 3 different times for 3 different injuries, after they drug test him, corporate care reports the facility to osha and they come out for an inspection.

[Chester345]

Not tryin to TC, safety should always come first, really.

Friend of mines wife, called the state on a couple practices that were unsafe at a day care.  Anonymity, yes, but then a state worker showed up and only interviewed 1 person the first day, that wife.  Kind of gave it away.

I hope an OSHA type complaint would be more tactfully handled.

+1 on having someone else call it in.  Email me the info.  

[alltherightpills]

From http://www.osha.gov/as/opa/worker/index.html

What can I do if I think my workplace is unsafe?

If you believe working conditions are unsafe or unhealthful, we recommend that you bring the conditions to your employer's attention, if possible. Your employer may want to contact OSHA or your state consultation service in order to gather information about how to improve working conditions.

You may file a complaint with OSHA concerning a hazardous working condition at any time. However, you should not leave the worksite merely because you have filed a complaint. If the condition clearly presents a risk of death or serious physical harm, there is not sufficient time for OSHA to inspect, and, where possible, you have brought the condition to the attention of your employer, you may have a legal right to refuse to work in a situation in which you would be exposed to the hazard.

You may file a complaint with OSHA if you believe there may be a violation of an OSHA standard or a serious safety or health hazard at work. You may request that your name not be revealed to your employer. You can file a complaint on this web site, in writing or by telephone to the nearest OSHA area office. You may also call the office and speak with an OSHA compliance officer about a hazard, violation, or the process for filing a complaint.

Can I be punished or discriminated against for exercising my rights?

The OSH Act and other laws protect workers who complain to their employer, union, OSHA or other government agencies about unsafe or unhealthful conditions in the workplace or environmental problems. You cannot be transferred, denied a raise, have your hours reduced, be fired, or punished in any other way because you have exercised any right afforded to you under the OSH Act. Help is available from OSHA for whistleblowers. But complaints about discrimination must be filed as soon as possible–within 30 days of the alleged reprisal for most complaints.

[sangyo soichiro]

If it's a small shop...
"Gee... just when the Caave hurt his finger, here comes OSHA...."

Don't assume the boss won't find out.  He/she probably will.

I'm pretty postitive that whistle blowers are almost always protected from the employer by the law, because authorities want to encourage this type of behavior.

The law may be able to let you keep your job, but the boss could make it rough on you. 


I say look for another job.  It doesn't sound like this boss cares much for the employees.  Why would you want to make him rich?


My suggestion:  Report it to OSHA and get the hell out.
Easier said than done, I know.  But there are better jobs.
Better yet, save up some money and start your own business.

[sangyo soichiro]

On further thought, I didn't give your boss much benefit of the doubt.  Maybe I'd talk to him first, before I went to OSHA.  I guess you'd be the best person to know whether that is an option....


Good luck though.

[Inigo Montoya]

You have a RIGHT to work in safe conditions. If this guy does not care enough to get new equipment that will probably do the job better than the old stuff while being safer, he deserves to have osha called on him. I doubt this boss is skating close to going under so he is mostly likely just an ass who does not care about his workers.

Given this, you have to wonder what else he is letting slide.

[Caaveman82]

Yeah when I say small shop, I am talking 6 guys.

I have no insurance. I've walked out of here after getting hit with the jaws on the lathe at 3200 RPM and required stitches. I drove myself to the VA and got patched up and the boss wouldn't cover squat. Granted it was only like $100 but why should I pay that? I wasn't messing around, I had a tool malfunction and guide my hand into the jaws.

The owner is a butt, a greedy, cheap, lazy, butt. If I said anything I know he would try to can me. There is not a lot going on around here for a guy like me. All I know is metal and construction. Neither of which I have any certs in and both of which are full up and not hiring, so finding another job might be tricky.

[kghost]

Sucks to be sure.

Every OSHA whistle blower I know has been screwed.

Yeah sometimes they recover thier jobs and lost wages...but only after prolonged agony and legal wrangling.

Your boss is unscrupulous and generally sounds like a piss poor person.

Start looking for a new job immediately

When you find one...then call OSHA.

Bear in mind its alot harder to find a job with a Disability or parts of your body missing.

In the mean time...be very careful.

[Gordon]

You have a responsibility to yourself, man.  If you get seriously injured at work on equipment that you know is dangerous, you're as much to blame as the boss is.  Especially if you didn't at least try to talk to him about it.  

What's worse, working a really #$%*ty (but safe) job for little pay until you can find something better, or losing a limb?  

[mlinder]

I vote losing a limb is way cooler.

[Caaveman82]

You are right Gordon.

I have been being very careful but even then I have to put myself in the line of fire just to do my job.

Ugh.

This really blows.

[Inkscars]

+1 to mlinder. but I think you'd look rad with an eyepatch.

[Caaveman82]

I don't want to loose any body parts. I can rock an eye patch without losing an eye lol.

[mlinder]

I don't want to loose any body parts. I can rock an eye patch without losing an eye lol.

You could get a wooden arm with a hook on the end. That and an eyepatch = girls will hump you with their eyes.

[Caaveman82]

I don't want to loose any body parts. I can rock an eye patch without losing an eye lol.

You could get a wooden arm with a hook on the end. That and an eyepatch = girls will hump you with their eyes.

That's a good start..

I'd rather be proper effed then eye effed.

[mlinder]

I don't want to loose any body parts. I can rock an eye patch without losing an eye lol.

You could get a wooden arm with a hook on the end. That and an eyepatch = girls will hump you with their eyes.

That's a good start..

I'd rather be proper effed then eye effed.

Surely eye-humping leads to trysts often enough, Pirate Caavebeard.

[Caaveman82]

I don't want to loose any body parts. I can rock an eye patch without losing an eye lol.

You could get a wooden arm with a hook on the end. That and an eyepatch = girls will hump you with their eyes.

That's a good start..

I'd rather be proper effed then eye effed.

Surely eye-humping leads to trysts often enough, Pirate Caavebeard.

Do I need to light my hair on fire now?