Ideally, everyone should be able to have a job where they feel safe. And while some work is going to be inherently more dangerous than other jobs, feeling like you’re working in a safe environment is vital for your mental and physical health. So when you’re working at a job where you don’t feel safe, it’s important to know what you can and should do to rectify this situation.
To help you see just how this can be done, here are three things to do when you feel like you’re working in an unsafe work environment.
Know The Rules And Regulations
In order to know just what can and should be done in your work environment so that you and your coworkers can be safe, you first need to know what the rules and regulations are for safety in your field.
As a good starting point, you should research what the OSHA rules are both federally and in your state. If you see something that is a law but isn’t being followed at your place of work, try bringing this up to your supervisor or boss so that they can address the situation. Sometimes, they may not even know that the problem is there. But if sharing your concerns doesn’t illicit action, there are still others paths you can take.
Make Specific Requests For What You Need
If the reason that you’re feeling unsafe at work doesn’t really have anything to do with rules or laws that aren’t being followed, there are still ways you can seek to get the safety and security you need from your employer.
One way to do this is to make specific requests for what you’re needing to be changed or added. If you can pinpoint exactly what you would need in order to feel safe and then specifically ask for that thing from your employer, as long as it’s something they can help you with, there’s a good chance that you could get the help you’re needing.
Find Avenues For Support
In some situations, your reasons for feeling unsafe or uncomfortable might not be able to be fixed by your employer. So if you’re still wanting to maintain your job, you may need to look at what changes or support you can get personally to help you feel better about your situation. Sometimes, just being able to talk with someone about what your fears are or what you’re experiencing can help you work through whatever is going on and give you the peace or acceptance that you’re needing.
If you’re feeling like the place you’re working isn’t a safe environment for you to be in at this moment, consider using the tips mentioned above to help you see how you can work through this challenge.
