Complaint Inspection

What It Means

Workers have the legal right to file a complaint with OSHA about workplace hazards, and the agency is required to respond to every complaint. Complaints can be filed online, by phone, by mail, or in person at any OSHA area office. When OSHA receives a formal written complaint signed by a current worker or their representative, the agency typically conducts an on-site inspection. For less formal complaints, OSHA may instead send a letter to the employer describing the alleged hazard and requesting a written response within five business days. Complaint inspections are given higher priority than programmed inspections and are one of the most common triggers for workplace investigations. Importantly, Section 11(c) of the OSH Act protects workers from retaliation for filing complaints — employers cannot fire, demote, transfer, or otherwise discriminate against workers who exercise their rights. On OSHARecord, many company inspection records originate from employee complaints, which often uncover hazards that programmed inspections might miss.

Frequently Asked Questions