Employee Responsibilities

It is the employee's responsibility to make safety his or her first priority. Employees are entitled by law to working conditions that do not pose a risk of serious harm to them. To help ensure a safe and healthful workplace, employees should:

• Ask OSHA to inspect their workplace.
• Receive information and training about hazards, methods to prevent harm, and the OSHA standards that apply to their workplace. This training must be in a language that workers can understand.
• Get copies of the results of any tests conducted to find hazards in the workplace.
• Review records of work-related injuries and illnesses.

In addition, employees can use the following tips to help ensure their health and safety while working with or around asbestos:

• Participate in safety training.
• Wear necessary personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Read and study the relevant Safety Data Sheets (SDSs).
• Report any accidents or unsafe work conditions or actions.

If any employees believe that working conditions are unsafe or unhealthful, they should speak up and bring the conditions to their employer's attention.

To learn more about Asbestos Awareness visit our Cal/OSHA Asbestos Awareness Online Training web page.