Rights and Responsibilities

Employee Rights and Responsibilities

As a worker, you have a legal right to:

A safe and healthful workplace
Any information your employer has about any exposure you may have had to hazards such as toxic chemicals or noise. You also have a right to any medical records your employer has concerning you.
To ask your employer to correct dangerous conditions.
To file a complaint about workplace hazards:
- Private sector workers – In Maine call OSHA at 207-626-9160
- Maine Public Sector Workers – Call the Bureau of Labor Standards of the Maine Department of Labor at 207-623-7900

To participate in enforcement inspections.
To not be discriminated against for exercising your health and safety rights. Your employer may not fire you, threaten you, harass you, or treat you differently for exercising your health and safety rights.
To refuse work that puts you in immediate danger of serious harm. Before you refuse unsafe work, request that your employer eliminate the hazard and make it clear that you will accept an alternate assignment. The OSHA regulation only protects you if the danger can be proven to exist; if you refuse to work because you believe a condition is hazardous, but are proved wrong, OSHA does not protect you.
To information on hazards in your workplace; chemicals used in your workplace; tests your employer has done to measure chemical, noise and radiation levels; and what to do if you or other employees are involved in an incident or are exposed to other toxic substances.
To information from your employer about OSHA standards, worker injuries and illnesses, job hazards and workers’ rights.
To training from your employer
- on chemicals you are exposed to during your work and information on how to protect yourself from harm.
- on other health and safety hazards and standards that your employer must follow.

Read the workplace safety and health poster at the jobsite.
Comply with all applicable OSHA and Maine safety standards.
Follow all lawful employer safety and health rules and regulations, and wear or use required protective equipment while working.
Report hazardous conditions to the employer
Report any job-related injury or illness to the employer, and seek treatment promptly.