This section of PALawHelp.org has information and resources about issues relating to Workplace Safety in Pennsylvania.
Click on a resource category listed below to see information related to that category.
All About OSHA
Basic Information about the Occupational Health and Safety Organization (OSHA). OSHA's mission is to assure America's workers have safe and healthful working conditions free from unlawful retaliation. OSHA carries out its mission by setting and enforcing standards; enforcing anti-retaliation provisions of the OSH Act and other federal whistleblower laws; and providing training and outreach.
How to File a Complaint with OSHA
Workers (or their representative) have the right to file a confidential report about injuries, safety issues, and actions taken against them for speaking up including being fired, demoted, or disciplined. You have the right to file both complaints if appropriate. Remember, employers are required to follow safety laws and keep you safe. Employers must also maintain a workplace free from retaliation for voicing concerns about hazards or violations of federal law. This provides information on filing reports with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
Know Your Employment Rights in Philadelphia!
Information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on employment rights including wages, unemployment compensation, family and medical leave, discrimination, workplace injuries, and unions. (January 2014)
The Whistleblower Protection Program
Information from the United States Department of Labor on the Whistleblower Protection Program. This program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than twenty whistleblower statutes protecting employees who report violations of various workplace safety laws.
Workers' Compensation
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The Workers’ Compensation Act provides for the payment of benefits to workers injured on the job. Injuries include occupational diseases and any aggravation or acceleration of a non-work-related condition that reduces your ability to work or results in death. [PDF] (November 2012)
Workers' Compensation
Information on Workers' Compensation benefits from the Erie County Bar Association. Workers' compensation provides benefits for employees in Pennsylvania who are injured in the performance of their employment. An injury can include traumatic injury or a disease. (February 2019)
Workers Rights and Protections under OSHA
Information from the United States Department of Labor on worker rights and protections under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Federal law entitles you to a safe workplace. Your employer must keep your workplace free of known health and safety hazards. You have the right to speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation, as well as other safety-related rights and safeguards.
Workplace Safety
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services on your rights relating to workplace safety under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. (OSHA)
How to File a Complaint with OSHA
Workers (or their representative) have the right to file a confidential report about injuries, safety issues, and actions taken against them for speaking up including being fired, demoted, or disciplined. You have the right to file both complaints if appropriate. Remember, employers are required to follow safety laws and keep you safe. Employers must also maintain a workplace free from retaliation for voicing concerns about hazards or violations of federal law. This provides information on filing reports with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA Hazard Awareness Advisor
The OSHA Hazard Awareness Advisor from the United States Department of Labor is designed to help general industry employers and workers identify possible safety and health hazards in their workplace, and to direct users to OSHA standards addressing those hazards.
OSHA Online Complaint Form
Online form to report workplace safety issues. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) stresses that this form should NOT be used to report emergencies. To report an emergency, fatality, or imminent life threatening situation please use the OSHA toll free number immediately: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742); TTY 1-877-889-5627
Federal Court Finder
Find a federal court location by location or court name, including appellate, district, bankruptcy, probation and pretrial office, or federal defender organization. Each District Court has its own local forms which are generally available on the Court website.
Forms and Documents (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)
Links to downloadable forms from the PA Department of Labor and Industry. The forms and documents page has important information about keeping safe at work, understanding your rights as an employee, and getting help if you are hurt on the job. It also has details about getting money if you can't work, and getting help to learn new skills if you need it.
OSHA Online Complaint Form
Online form to report workplace safety issues. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) stresses that this form should NOT be used to report emergencies. To report an emergency, fatality, or imminent life threatening situation please use the OSHA toll free number immediately: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742); TTY 1-877-889-5627
Know Your Employment Rights in Philadelphia!
Information from Community Legal Services of Philadelphia on employment rights including wages, unemployment compensation, family and medical leave, discrimination, workplace injuries, and unions. (January 2014)
Workplace Safety
Information from Neighborhood Legal Services on your rights relating to workplace safety under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. (OSHA)
Workers' Compensation
Consumer information pamphlet from the Pennsylvania Bar Association. The Workers’ Compensation Act provides for the payment of benefits to workers injured on the job. Injuries include occupational diseases and any aggravation or acceleration of a non-work-related condition that reduces your ability to work or results in death. [PDF] (November 2012)
Workers' Compensation
Information on Workers' Compensation benefits from the Erie County Bar Association. Workers' compensation provides benefits for employees in Pennsylvania who are injured in the performance of their employment. An injury can include traumatic injury or a disease. (February 2019)
All About OSHA
Basic Information about the Occupational Health and Safety Organization (OSHA). OSHA's mission is to assure America's workers have safe and healthful working conditions free from unlawful retaliation. OSHA carries out its mission by setting and enforcing standards; enforcing anti-retaliation provisions of the OSH Act and other federal whistleblower laws; and providing training and outreach.
Forms and Documents (Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry)
Links to downloadable forms from the PA Department of Labor and Industry. The forms and documents page has important information about keeping safe at work, understanding your rights as an employee, and getting help if you are hurt on the job. It also has details about getting money if you can't work, and getting help to learn new skills if you need it.
How to File a Complaint with OSHA
Workers (or their representative) have the right to file a confidential report about injuries, safety issues, and actions taken against them for speaking up including being fired, demoted, or disciplined. You have the right to file both complaints if appropriate. Remember, employers are required to follow safety laws and keep you safe. Employers must also maintain a workplace free from retaliation for voicing concerns about hazards or violations of federal law. This provides information on filing reports with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA)
OSHA Hazard Awareness Advisor
The OSHA Hazard Awareness Advisor from the United States Department of Labor is designed to help general industry employers and workers identify possible safety and health hazards in their workplace, and to direct users to OSHA standards addressing those hazards.
OSHA Online Complaint Form
Online form to report workplace safety issues. The Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) stresses that this form should NOT be used to report emergencies. To report an emergency, fatality, or imminent life threatening situation please use the OSHA toll free number immediately: 1-800-321-OSHA (6742); TTY 1-877-889-5627
The Whistleblower Protection Program
Information from the United States Department of Labor on the Whistleblower Protection Program. This program enforces the whistleblower provisions of more than twenty whistleblower statutes protecting employees who report violations of various workplace safety laws.
Workers Rights and Protections under OSHA
Information from the United States Department of Labor on worker rights and protections under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. Federal law entitles you to a safe workplace. Your employer must keep your workplace free of known health and safety hazards. You have the right to speak up about hazards without fear of retaliation, as well as other safety-related rights and safeguards.