Employment Law Practice Exam

When are employees protected under OSHA if they leave the job due to dangerous conditions?

1. When OSHA has validated the claim that dangerous conditions exist.

2. If the employer has been informed of the hazard and does not correct it.

3. If there is a specific OSHA standard that applies to the hazard.

4. All of the above.

The correct answer is: All of the above.

Employees are protected under the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations when they leave a job due to dangerous conditions if several criteria are met. When an employee feels there is a real and immediate danger present in the workplace, OSHA provides protection if: 1. There is validation of unsafe working conditions through inquiry by OSHA, which establishes the existence of a hazard that could lead to injury or illness. This provides a level of assurance that the claimed danger has been recognized. 2. The employer has been notified about the hazardous conditions and has failed to take corrective action. This establishes a clear obligation for the employer to address known risks, and workers have the right to leave when their employer does not fulfill this duty. 3. If a specific OSHA standard applies to the identified hazard, this legal framework can provide additional protection for employees, underscoring their right to refuse unsafe work under certain definitive regulations. Since all these elements contribute to the protection afforded to employees under OSHA, the correct answer encompasses all of them, affirming that employees are indeed shielded in any of these situations. This comprehensive protection ensures that employees can prioritize their health and safety in hazardous working environments.