Safe Staffing Levels? OSHA and Legal Liabilities
Introduction OSHA duty officers around the country routinely field complaints from employees and labor unions alleging workplaces are understaffed and unsafe. Unions often dispute staffing levels, complaining that employers have insufficient bargaining unit members and insufficient members with seniority. Individual complainants allege that they are left to work alone, have no backup in case of emergency, or are at enhanced risk of accident or workplace violence. OSHA duty officers normally tell complainants that there are no written regulations addressing safe staffing levels , and that it is not unlawful to work alone. But employers would be wise to consider staffing levels to protect employees from recognized hazards . In many situations, appropriate staffing can reduce risks of accidents and slow-developing injuries, and ensure employee safety and emergency response. Accordingly, understanding of issues relating to safe staffing levels can be key to minimizing risks to OSHA c...