Read & Listen: OSHA & Advocating for Yourself
OVERVIEW
On this page, you will read about OSHA and how to advocate for yourself when you feel unsafe or want to improve your workplace experience.
- First, read the text about OSHA and self-advocacy.
- Then, listen to audio of the text.
READ & LISTEN
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Read:
Employers have the responsibility to provide a safe workplace. Employers must provide their workers with a workplace that is safe. They must follow all OSHA safety and health rules. Employers must find and correct safety and health problems. OSHA also requires that employers must first try to stop dangerous situations by making changes in work conditions. If they cannot fix the problem, they can use personal protective equipment such as masks, gloves, or earplugs. Changing to safer chemicals or using ventilation systems to clean the air are examples of good ways to stop problems.
Listen:
Image Links to an external site. by mikecogh, CC BY SA 2.0 Links to an external site.
Read:
Self-advocacy means speaking up for yourself, making your own decisions, standing up for your rights and asking for respect from others. Advocating for yourself can also be asking for help from others.
Advocating for yourself allows you to:
- get what you need
- make your own choices
- learn to say "no" without feeling bad
- express disagreement respectfully
Here are some ways you can advocate for yourself at work:
| Self-Advocacy | Example Conversation |
|---|---|
| Ask for what you need and want. | Would it be possible for me to receive a $1.00 hourly raise? Would you consider giving me a raise in salary? |
| Say yes or no. | Sorry, I can't work work until 11 p.m. tonight. I could work until 9:30 p.m. Would that be helpful? |
| Express your feelings if you're uncomfortable. | I feel uncomfortable when you talk to me like that. Would you please stop? |
| Make your own decisions based on what you want or need. | Having insurance for myself and my family is very important to me. Could you explain my options for getting medical insurance? |
| Speak up about workplace safety. | I'm worried about someone getting injured. Can you provide some additional safety gear? |