File a Complaint with Cal/OSHA

<!doctype html>  <html lang="en">  <head> <meta charset="utf-8">   <title>File a Complaint with Cal/OSHA</title>   <meta name="Author" content="Division of Occupational Safety and Health" /> <meta name="Description" content="To report workplace safety or health hazards to Cal/OSHA, call (866) 924-9757 between 8am and 5pm or email the Cal/OSHA Enforcement District Office closest to your worksite." /> <meta name="Keywords" content="Division of Occupational Safety and Health" />  <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/custom_components.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/interactions.css" /> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/interactions_print.css" media="print"/>  <meta charset="utf-8"> <meta name="Author" content="State of California" /> <meta name="Description" content="State of California" /> <meta name="Keywords" content="California, government" /> <meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"> <meta name="HandheldFriendly" content="True"> <meta name="MobileOptimized" content="320"> <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1.0, minimum-scale=1.0"> <meta property="og:image" content="https://as-cdt-pub-migr-betaws-ww-p-001-stage.azurewebsites.net/images/social_media_preview_image.png" />  <link href="https://fonts.googleapis.com/css?family=Roboto:400,500,700" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="https://california.azureedge.net/cdt/statetemplate/6.1.0/css/cagov.core.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="/css/ca.gov.css" rel="stylesheet" /> <link href="https://california.azureedge.net/cdt/statetemplate/6.1.0/css/colortheme-oceanside.min.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link href="/css/custom.css" rel="stylesheet"> <link rel="stylesheet" type="text/css" href="/css/print.css" media="print">  <script defer crossorigin="anonymous" src="https://alert.cdt.ca.gov"></script>  <script type="text/javascript" src="https://lwda-prod.ochat.osaas.app/embed/DIR-1655436669699"></script> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="100x100" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png"> <link rel="icon" sizes="192x192" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-192x192.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="180x180" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-180x180.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="152x152" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-152x152.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="144x144" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-144x144.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="120x120" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-120x120.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="114x114" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-114x114.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" sizes="72x72" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-72x72.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon-precomposed" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-57x57.png"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/images/apple-touch-icon-57x57.png"> <link rel="apple-touch-icon" href="/images/apple-touch-icon.png"> <link rel="shortcut icon" href="/favicon.ico">       <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=UA-3419582-30"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag() { dataLayer.push(arguments); } gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'UA-3419582-2'); //statewide GA property gtag('config', 'UA-3419582-30'); //please update state department UA code in line below before deployment gtag('config', 'UA-5092920-1'); //un-comment line and update UA code to add a third GA property var getOutboundLink = function (url) { gtag('event', 'click', { 'event_category': 'navigation', 'event_label': 'outbound link: ' + url, 'transport_type': 'beacon', 'event_callback': function () { document.location = url; } }); } var trackDownload = function (filename) { gtag('event', 'click', { 'event_category': 'download', 'event_label': 'file: ' + filename, 'transport_type': 'beacon', 'event_callback': function () { document.location = url; } }); } </script>  <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-75V2BNQ3DR"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag() { dataLayer.push(arguments); } gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-69TD0KNT0F'); // statewide GA4 Property ID gtag('config', 'G-9C30LB4KFJ'); // update individual agency GA4 Property ID code before deployment </script>   </head> <body class="two-column">  <style> .utility-header .social-media-links .sm-icons { padding: 6px 0 0 10px; } .utility-header .social-media-links .sm-icons a { margin: 0 0 0 3px; } .utility-header .social-media-links .sm-icons a span[class^="ca-gov-icon-"] { color:#fff !important; } .utility-header .social-media-links .sm-icons a:hover span[class^="ca-gov-icon-"] { color:#fdeabf !important; } </style> <header role="banner" id="header" class="global-header">  <div id="skip-to-content"> <a href="#main-content">Skip to Main Content</a> </div> <div class="utility-header"> <div class="container"> <div class="flex-row"> <div class="social-media-links"> <div class="header-cagov-logo"><a href="https://ca.gov"><span class="sr-only">CA.gov</span> <img src="/images/Ca-Gov-Logo-Gold.svg" class="pos-rel" alt="" aria-hidden="true" /></a> </div> <ul class="sm-icons"> <li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/californiadir"><span class="ca-gov-icon-share-linkedin" aria-hidden="true" title="LinkedIn"></span><span class="sr-only">LinkedIn</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR"><span class="ca-gov-icon-share-facebook" aria-hidden="true" title="Facebook"></span><span class="sr-only">Flickr</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/CA_DIR"><img class="x-icon dark-bkg" style="margin-top:-3px;padding-bottom:4px;" src="/images/icons/x-logo-white.png" title="X (Twitter)" /><span class="sr-only">Twitter</span></a></li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR"><span class="ca-gov-icon-youtube" aria-hidden="true" title="YouTube"></span><span class="sr-only">YouTube</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.instagram.com/ca_dir/"><span class="ca-gov-icon-instagram" aria-hidden="true" title="Instagram"></span><span class="sr-only">Instagram</span></a></li> </ul>  </div> <div class="settings-links"> <a class="nowrap" class="crowded-link" href="/mediaroom.html" style="padding-top:3px;">Press room</a> <span class="careers"><a class="nowrap" href="/dirjobs/dirjobs.htm">Careers at DIR</a></span> <a class="nowrap" href="/Multilingual/Spanish/index.html">Índice en español</a> <button class="btn btn-sm" style="box-shadow:none;" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#siteSettings" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="siteSettings"><span class="ca-gov-icon-gear" aria-hidden="true"></span>Settings</button> <a class="nowrap" style="margin-left:35px;" href="#" data-bs-toggle="modal" data-bs-target="#gt-translate-modal"><span class="ca-gov-icon-globe white"></span> Translate</a> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="site-settings section collapse collapsed" id="siteSettings"> <div class="container p-y"> <div class="settings-bar-buttons"> <div class="btn-group" aria-label="contrastMode"> <button type="button" class="btn btn-default btn-lg bg-transparent bg-s1-hover disableHighContrastMode">Reset</button> </div> <div class="btn-group"><button type="button" class="btn btn-s1 btn-lg brd-s1 enableHighContrastMode">High contrast</button> </div> <div class="btn-group"> <button type="button" class="btn btn-s1 btn-lg brd-s1 increaseTextSize"> <span class="hidden-xs">Increase font size</span> <span class="visible-xs">Font <span class="sr-only">increase</span> <span class="ca-gov-icon-plus-line small" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span> </button> </div> <div class="btn-group"> <button type="button" class="btn btn-s1 btn-lg brd-s1 decreaseTextSize"> <span class="hidden-xs">Decrease font size</span> <span class="visible-xs">Font <span class="sr-only">decrease</span> <span class="ca-gov-icon-minus-line small" aria-hidden="true"></span> </span> </button> </div> <div class="btn-group"> <button type="button" class="btn btn-s1 btn-lg brd-s1 dyslexicFont">Dyslexic font</button> </div> <button type="button" class="close ms-auto" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#siteSettings" aria-label="Close"> <span aria-hidden="true" class=" ca-gov-icon-close-mark"></span> </button> </div> </div> </div>    <div class="section-default"> <div class="branding"> <div class="header-organization-banner" style="position:relative;"> <div class="test-site-marker"></div> <a href="/" style="border:none;"> <div class="logo-assets"> <img src="/images/template-logo.png" class="logo-img" alt="Calfornia Department of Industrial Relations" /> <div class="logo-text"> <span class="logo-state"></span> <span class="logo-dept"></span> </div> </div> </a> </div> </div> </div>   <div class="mobile-controls"> <span class="mobile-control-group mobile-header-icons">  </span> <div class="mobile-control-group main-nav-icons"> <button class="mobile-control toggle-search"> <span class="ca-gov-icon-search hidden-print" aria-hidden="true"></span><span class="sr-only">Search</span> </button> <button id="nav-icon3" class="mobile-control toggle-menu" aria-expanded="false" aria-controls="navigation" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#navigation"> <span></span> <span></span> <span></span> <span></span> <span class="sr-only">Menu</span> </button> </div> </div>  <div class="navigation-search full-width-nav container">       <div id="head-search" class="search-container featured-search"> <div class="container"> <form id="Search" class="pos-rel" action="/serp.html"> <span class="sr-only" id="SearchInput">Custom Google Search</span> <input type="text" name="q" aria-labelledby="SearchInput" placeholder="Search" class="search-textfield" /> <button type="submit" class="gsc-search-button"><span class="ca-gov-icon-search" aria-hidden="true"></span><span class="sr-only">Submit</span></button> <div class="close-search-btn"><button class="close-search gsc-clear-button border-0 bg-transparent pos-rel" type="reset"><span class="sr-only">Close</span></button></div> </form> </div> </div>       <nav id="navigation" class="main-navigation dropdown" lang="en"> <ul id="nav_list" class="top-level-nav"> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/dlse/" class="first-level-link"><br class="show-large-up" />Labor <br class="hide-1280-up hide-small-and-medium" />Law</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <ul class="second-level-nav"> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/" class="second-level-link">Labor Commissioner's Office</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/Judgment-Enforcement-Unit.html" class="second-level-link">Judgment Enforcement Unit</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/dlseWagesAndHours.html" class="second-level-link">Wages</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/DistrictOffices.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="District Offices for DLSE">Offices</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/dlse-bofe.html" class="second-level-link">BOFE</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/DLSE-CL.htm" class="second-level-link">Minors</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/outreach.html" class="second-level-link">Outreach</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/Manual-Instructions.htm" class="second-level-link">Policy</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/DLSE-Databases.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Labor Law Databases">Databases</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/DLSE_OpinionLetters.htm" class="second-level-link">Opinions</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/dlseRetaliation.html" class="second-level-link">Retaliation</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/Training.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="DLSE Training">Training</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/wpnodb.html" class="second-level-link">Postings</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/Registration_Services.html" class="second-level-link">Registration Services</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/Public-Works/PublicWorks.html" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Public Works home page">Public Works</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dlse/ECU/ElectricalTrade.html" class="second-level-link">Electrician Certification</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/dosh/" class="first-level-link">Cal/OSHA - <br class="hide-small-and-medium" />Safety & Health</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <ul class="second-level-nav"> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dosh/" class="second-level-link">Cal/OSHA Home</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dosh/consultation.html" class="second-level-link">Consultation</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dosh/Enforcementpage.htm" class="second-level-link">Enforcement</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dosh/HeatIllnessInfo.html" class="second-level-link">Heat Illness Prevention</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/dosh/puborder.asp#IIPP" class="second-level-link">Injury & Illness Prevention Program</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dosh/cal_vpp/vpp_index.html" class="second-level-link">Partnership Programs</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dosh/Payment_options.html" class="second-level-link">Payment Options</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/permits-licenses-certifications.html" class="second-level-link">Permits, Registrations, Certifications, & Licenses</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dosh/PublicSafety.html" class="second-level-link">Public Safety</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dosh/Required-Notifications.html" class="second-level-link">Required Notifications</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/dosh/Worker-Health-and-Safety-in-Wildfire-Regions.html" class="second-level-link">Worker Safety & Health in Wildfire Regions</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/wpnodb.html" class="second-level-link">Workplace Postings</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/dwc/" class="first-level-link"><br class="show-large-up" />Workers' <br class="hide-1280-up hide-small-and-medium" />Comp</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <ul class="second-level-nav"> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dwc/" class="second-level-link">Workers' Comp Home</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dwc/a_z_index.htm" class="second-level-link">A - Z Index</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/DWC/CourtCalendar/CourtCal.asp" class="second-level-link">Court calendar</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dwc/DEU.html" class="second-level-link">Disability Evaluation Unit</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dwc/dir2.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="District Offices for Division of Workers' Compensation">District Offices</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/dwc/eams/eams.htm" class="second-level-link">Electronic Adjudication Management System</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dwc/employer.htm" class="second-level-link">Employer Information</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dwc/IMR.htm" class="second-level-link">Independent Medical Review</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/dwc/IandA.html" class="second-level-link">Information and Assistance Unit</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dwc/injuredworker.htm" class="second-level-link">Injured Worker</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dwc/MedicalUnit/imchp.html" class="second-level-link">Medical Unit</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/RTWSP/RTWSP.html" class="second-level-link">The Return-to-Work Supplement Program</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/dwc/claims.html" class="second-level-link">UEBTF & SIBTF</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/osip/" class="first-level-link"><br class="show-large-up" />Self <br class="hide-1280-up hide-small-and-medium" />Insurance</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <ul class="second-level-nav"> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/" class="second-level-link" aria-label="About Self Insurance">Self Insurance Home</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/AppRequirements.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="About Self Insurance">About</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/SelfInsuredEmployers.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Self-insurance information for Employers.">Employers</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/SI-groups/index.html" class="second-level-link">Groups</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/examination.htm" class="second-level-link">Third Party Administrators</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/PublicEntitiesAndJPA.htm" class="second-level-link">Joint Power Authorities</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/OSIP-AuditUnit.html" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Self Insurance Audit Unit">Audits</a> </li> <li class="unit1"><a href="/osip/pubandforms.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Forms related to Self-Insurance">Forms</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/lawsandregs.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Regulations related to OSIP">Regulations</a></li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/generalinfo.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Contact Office of Self Insurance">Contact</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/das/" class="first-level-link"><br class="hide-small-and-medium" />Apprenticeship</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <ul class="second-level-nav"> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/das/" class="second-level-link">Apprenticeship Home</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/databases/das/aigstart.asp" class="second-level-link">Apprenticeship Search</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/das/publicworks.html" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Public Works apprenticeship requirements">Public Works</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/das/ProgramSponsor.htm" class="second-level-link">Sponsors</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/databases/das/descOfAppr.html" class="second-level-link">Overview</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/das/educators.htm" class="second-level-link">Educators</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/das/employers.htm" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Apprenticeship information for employers">Employers</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/das/veterans.html" class="second-level-link">Veterans</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/directors_office.html" class="first-level-link"><br class="show-large-up" />Director's <br class="hide-1280-up hide-small-and-medium" />Office</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <ul class="second-level-nav"> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/directors_office.html" class="second-level-link">Director's Office Home</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/OLA/default.html" class="second-level-link">Office of Legislative and Regulatory Affairs</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/OPRL/Statistics_Research.html" class="second-level-link">Office of the Director - Research</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/Division/Decisions-and-Determinations.html" class="second-level-link">Office of the Director - Decisions and Determinations</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/mediaroom.html" class="second-level-link">Press Room</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/Public-Works/PublicWorks.html" class="second-level-link" aria-label="Public Works home page">Public Works</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/osip/sip.html" class="second-level-link">Self Insurance Plans</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/LETF/LETF.html" class="second-level-link">Labor Enforcement</a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/aboutdir.html" class="second-level-link">About DIR</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/BoardsAndCommissions.html" class="first-level-link"><br class="hide-small-and-medium" />Boards</a> <div class="sub-nav"> <ul class="second-level-nav"> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/BoardsAndCommissions.html" class="second-level-link">Boards and Commissions Home</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex3"> <a href="/chswc/chswc.html" class="second-level-link">Commission on Health and Safety and Workers' Compensation (CHSWC)</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/oshsb/oshsb.html" class="second-level-link"><span style="font-weight:normal">Occupational Safety & Health </span><span style="font-weight:bold; opacity:.85;">Standards Board</span> (OSHSB)</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/oshab/oshab.html" class="second-level-link">Occupational Safety & Health <span style="font-weight:bold;opacity:.85;">Appeals Board</span> (OSHAB)</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/wcab/wcab.htm" class="second-level-link">Workers' Compensation <span style="font-weight:bold;opacity:.85;">Appeals Board (WCAB)</span></a> </li> <li class="unit1"> <a href="/AB1228/AB1228.html" class="second-level-link">Fast Food Council</a> </li> <li class="unit1 linex2"> <a href="/iwc/iwc.html" class="second-level-link">Industrial Welfare Commission (IWC)</a> </li> </ul> </div> </li> </ul> </nav>   </div> </header>   <div id="main-content" class="main-content"> <div class="container p-t-md"> <main class="main-primary" id="main">   <nav aria-label="You are here"> <ol class="breadcrumb"> <li><a href="/dosh/dosh1.html" title="Cal/OSHA home page">Cal/OSHA</a></li> </ol> </nav>    <h1>File a Complaint with Cal/OSHA</h1> <div class="displaybox" style="margin:20px 25px 30px 25px;padding-top:15px;"> <p><span class="bold" style="margin-right:3px;">Right to File a Complaint:</span>The California Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1973 gives all employees the right to file a complaint about workplace safety and health hazards with Cal/OSHA. </p> <p><span class="bold" style="margin-right:3px;">Names of Complainants Must Be Kept Confidential:</span>The name of any person who submits a complaint to Cal/OSHA must be kept confidential by law, unless the person requests otherwise.</p> <p><span class="bold" style="margin-right:3px;">Please do not use this form to file claims for unpaid wages. </span>Instructions to file claims for unpaid wages can be found on the <a href="/dlse/howtofilewageclaim.htm"><strong>Labor Commissioner</strong></a> webpage.</p> </div> <h2 class="C">How to File a Complaint:</h2> <h3>Contact the District Office</h3> <p>If you would like to report workplace safety or health hazards to Cal/OSHA, choose one of the following:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Telephone</strong> the <a href="/dosh/DistrictOffices.htm"><strong>Cal/OSHA Enforcement District Office</strong></a> closest to your worksite between 8 am and 5 pm Monday through Friday except state holidays. Cal/OSHA staff can discuss your complaint and respond to any questions you have.</li> <li><strong>Email</strong> the Cal/OSHA Enforcement District Office closest to your worksite. Cal/OSHA will receive your email during regular business hours and will contact you if there are questions about the complaint.</li> </ul> <div class="messagebox info" style="margin:20px 25px 30px 25px;"> <p>For assistance finding the closest enforcement district office in Regions 1, 2, 3 or 4 that serves your job location, use the <a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/asp/DoshZipSearch.html"><strong>Cal/OSHA Enforcement district office locator</strong></a></p> </div> <h4 class="like-h3">Process Safety Management (PSM) Complaints</h4> <p>Go to the <a class="strong" href="psm-unit.html#contact">Process Safety Management (PSM)</a> webpage for contact information.</p> <h4 class="like-h3">Mining & Tunneling Complaints</h4> <p>Go to the <a class="strong" href="mining-and-tunneling-unit.html#complaint">Mining and Tunneling</a> webpage for contact information.</p> <div class="spacer very_small"></div> <h2 class="C">Additional Information</h2> <p>For more information on filing a complaint, please read the following:<br> <h3>When can a complaint be filed?</h3> If possible, employees should try to resolve safety and health issues first by reporting them to their supervisors, managers or representative like a union. That might not be an option for all employees due to the fear of retaliation. Employees can file a complaint at any time with the closest Cal/OSHA Enforcement District Office. When Cal/OSHA investigates the complaint, your identity will be kept confidential unless you request otherwise. <br> <h3>Who can file a complaint with Cal/OSHA?</h3> Anyone can file a workplace safety or health complaint with Cal/OSHA if they believe there is a violation of a safety or health standard, if there is any danger that threatens physical harm, or if an imminent hazard exists. A complaint filed by employees or their representatives is categorized as a “formal complaint.” Other people who know about a workplace safety or health hazard may file a complaint, and it will be categorized as a “non-formal complaint.” See the “How does Cal/OSHA respond to complaints” section below for how Cal/OSHA responds to these complaints.<br> <h3>What information must be provided to file a complaint?</h3> Anyone who files a complaint must provide enough information for Cal/OSHA to determine that a hazard probably exists, and for Cal/OSHA to be able to respond appropriately. <br><br> Employees can report unsafe or unhealthy conditions if they think those conditions exist at their workplace. It is not necessary to know the exact Cal/OSHA standard or requirement related to the potential violation.  <br><br> <strong>It is not required to submit all of this information, but you should include as much as possible of the following when filing a complaint with Cal/OSHA:</strong></p> <ul> <li>Your name and contact information. <strong><span class="red">Important: Cal/OSHA keeps this confidential unless you request otherwise. If you provide this information, Cal/OSHA can follow up for more information and to inform you about the complaint process.</span></strong></li> <li>Name, address, and telephone number of the employer and worksite(s)</li> <li>Type of business or industry </li> <li>Name and job title of the manager at the worksite</li> <li>Detailed description of the hazard</li> <li>The work or operation that is performed in the unsafe or unhealthful area and the equipment, materials, and chemicals used</li> <li>If worksite is large, the specific location of the hazard</li> <li>Number of employees working at the site, number of employees exposed to the hazard, and how close the employees are to the hazard</li> <li>How and when employees are exposed</li> <li>Work hours of management</li> <li>Whether employees have been informed or trained regarding hazardous conditions</li> <li>Work tasks performed near the hazard</li> <li>How often and for how long employees work at the task that leads to their exposure</li> <li>How long the hazardous condition has existed and how long you expect the hazard to continue to exist at the worksite</li> <li>Number of work shifts, the time that each shift begins, and the shift when the hazard occurs</li> <li>Personal protective equipment required by the employer and whether it is used by the employees</li> <li>Whether employees have been injured or made ill as a result of this problem, and if anyone has received medical treatment for their injuries or symptoms</li> <li>How long the hazard has existed, whether the employer knows of the hazard, and whether the employer has tried to correct the hazard</li> <li>Describe any “near-miss” incidents</li> <li>Any tests conducted by the employer to determine if the condition is hazardous, and the results</li> <li>If there is an employee bargaining unit representative for the worksite, the person’s name and contact information</li> <li>Whether an onsite inspection or investigation by letter is preferred</li> <li>Your relationship to the employer (e.g., employee, union representative, relative of employee)</li> <li>Your name, home address (or email address), and telephone number (optional, but if you do not provide this information, your complaint will be treated as a non-formal complaint.)</li> </ul> <h3>How does Cal/OSHA respond to complaints?</h3> There are two ways that Cal/OSHA can respond to a complaint. Cal/OSHA can conduct an unannounced onsite inspection, or an investigation by letter. Cal/OSHA will decide how to respond based on the information in the complaint, including the description of the hazards. <br><br> Generally, Cal/OSHA conducts onsite inspections for complaints of serious and imminent hazards. Investigations by letter help address less serious hazards and also allow Cal/OSHA to get in touch with many employers about concerns from workers. <strong>Again, the identity of the complainant remains confidential unless the complainant requests otherwise.</strong> <br><br> For investigations by letter, Cal/OSHA informs the employer that a complaint has been filed and provides the employer a description of the alleged hazards. The employer must respond in writing within 14 days, identifying any problems found during their own investigation and noting corrective actions taken or planned. If the response is adequate, Cal/OSHA generally will not conduct an onsite inspection. For unsatisfactory responses, Cal/OSHA will conduct an onsite inspection. If the complainant who filed the original complaint provides their contact information, they will receive a copy of the employer’s response and, if not satisfied, may then request an onsite inspection. <br><br> Note: employers also have to post the letter Cal/OSHA sends in the workplace to inform other employees about the investigation. <br> <h3>Are employees involved in Cal/OSHA inspections?</h3> Employees and their representatives have the right to accompany the Cal/OSHA inspector during the inspection and can also talk to the inspector in private. <br><br> The Cal/OSHA inspector is required to interview several employees in private. Employees are encouraged to point out hazards, describe accidents or illnesses that resulted from those hazards and relate past employee complaints about hazards. Employees should also inform the inspector if working conditions are not as they usually exist in the workplace. The inspector will also allow employees to talk to them at another time if it is more convenient. <br> <h3>What happens after the inspection or investigation?</h3> After Cal/OSHA conducts an onsite inspection, the inspector sends a letter to the employee or employee representative who filed the complaint, informing them of the findings, including copies of any citations issued. The employer must also post copies of any citations at or near the location of the violation. This notifies all employees in the area of the hazard so they understand the need to correct the unsafe conditions and the schedule for correction.<br><br> For investigations by letter, the employer must post a copy of the Cal/OSHA letter notifying of alleged safety or health hazards along with their response. This also must be posted at or near the affected location so that affected employees are aware.<br> <h3>Can I be punished or discriminated against for filing a complaint?</h3> <p>Employees have the right to file a complaint with Cal/OSHA without fear of retaliation or discrimination. Some examples of retaliation are firing, demotion, transfer, layoff, losing opportunity for overtime or promotion, exclusion from normal overtime work, assignment to an undesirable shift and denial of benefits such as sick leave or vacation time. <br><br> The California Labor Commissioner’s Office investigates employee complaints of employer retaliation against those who file complaints with Cal/OSHA. If you believe your employer has treated you unfairly because you exercised your safety and health rights, contact the office of the <a href="/dlse/DistrictOffices.htm"><strong>California Labor Commissioner</strong></a><strong> </strong>nearest to you right away or call the general line 833-526-4636.</p> <br /><br /> </p> <div class="page_datestamp">June 2023</div>  </main>  <div class="main-secondary" role="navigation" aria-label="Common links for Cal/OSHA web pages" lang="en">    <div class="panel-heading sidebar-title"> <h2>Cal/OSHA</h2> </div> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-heading emphasize"> <h3>Emergency Response</h3> </div> <div class="panel-body emphasize"> <ul class="spaced"> <li><a href="/dosh/avian-flu/">Avian Influenza (H5N1) Guidance and Resources</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/respiratory-silica-FAQ.html">Respirable Crystalline Silica Standards and Resources</a> <ul class="spaced"> <li><a href="https://www.dir.ca.gov/dosh/respiratory-silica-FAQ.html#exposures">Emergency Temporary Standard on Respirable Crystalline Silica for General Industry</a> </li> </ul> </li> <li><a href="/dosh/Worker-Health-and-Safety-in-Wildfire-Regions.html">Worker Safety and Health in Wildfire Regions</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="panel-heading"> <h3>Quick Links</h3> </div> <div class="panel-body"> <ul> <li><a href="/dosh/Complaint.htm">File a workplace safety complaint</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/consultation.html">Obtain a free consultation</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/cal-osha-updates.html">Important Cal/OSHA updates</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/pra-Requests.html">Public records requests</a></li> <li><a href="https://trainingacademy.dir.ca.gov/" target="_blank">Cal/OSHA Training Academy<span class="ca-gov-icon-external-link"></span></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.osha.gov/injuryreporting" target="_blank">OSHA Log 300 Reporting<span class="ca-gov-icon-external-link"></span></a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/Citation-statistics.html">Citation Data and Statistics</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="panel-heading"> <h3>Cal/OSHA Branches & Units</h3> </div> <div class="panel-body"> <h4>Branches</h4> <ul> <li><a href="/dosh/EnforcementPage.htm">Enforcement</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/consultation.html">Consultation Services</a></li> </ul> <h4>Units</h4> <ul> <li><a href="/dosh/AROffices.htm">Amusement Ride and Tramway</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/asbestos.html">Asbestos and Carcinogen</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/cfoi/">Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/Communications-Calosha.html">Communications and Outreach</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/Cranes.html">Crane</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/Elevator.html">Elevator</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/heatillnessinfo.html">Heat and Agriculture Coordination Program</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/high-hazard-unit.html">High Hazard</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/letf-unit.html" aria-label="Cal/OSHA Labor Enforcement Task Force Unit">Labor Enforcement Task Force</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/legal-unit.html">Legal and BOI</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/mining-and-tunneling-unit.html">Mining and Tunneling</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/pressure.html">Pressure Vessel</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/psm-unit.html">Process Safety Management</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/research-and-standards-unit.html">Research and Standards</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/other-calosha-units.html">Other Units</a></li> </ul> <div class="cleaner"></div> </div> <div class="panel-heading"> <h3>Educational Materials</h3> </div> <div class="panel-body"> <ul> <li><a href="/dosh/PubOrder.asp">Cal/OSHA publications</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/etools/etools.htm">Consultation eTools</a></li> </ul> <div class="cleaner"></div> </div> <div class="panel-heading"> <h3>About Cal/OSHA</h3> </div> <div class="panel-body"> <ul> <li><a href="/dosh/Contactus.html">Contact Us</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/consultation_offices.html">Locations - <span style="font-style:italic">Consultation offices</span></a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/DistrictOffices.htm">Locations - <span style="font-style:italic">Enforcement offices</span></a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/Bilingual-Engagement-Offices.html">Locations - <span style="font-style:italic">Outreach offices</span></a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/Get-Email-Notices.html">Get Cal/OSHA email notices</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/calosha-jurisdiction.html">Cal/OSHA Jurisdiction</a></li> </ul> <div class="cleaner"></div> </div> <div class="panel-heading"> <h3>Career Opportunities at Cal/OSHA</h3> </div> <div class="panel-body"> <ul> <li><a href="/dosh/DOSH-Recruitment-Hiring.html">Data on Cal/OSHA Staffing</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/jobs/">Work for Cal/OSHA</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/attorney/">Become a Cal/OSHA Attorney</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/jobs/Field-Inspector-Jobs.html">Become a Cal/OSHA Inspector</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/jobs/boi/">Become a BOI Special Investigator</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/jobs/Elevator-Inspector-Jobs.html">Become an Elevator Unit Inspector</a></li>   </ul> <div class="cleaner"></div> </div> </div>  </div> <div style="clear:both;"></div>  </div> </div>   <footer id="footer" class="global-footer" lang="en"> <button class="return-top"><span class="sr-only">Back to top</span></button>  <div class="section" style="background-color:#444;"> <div class="container"> <div class="upper_footer"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-md-4 footer_links"> <h2>About DIR</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/aboutdir.html">Who we are</a></li> <li><a href="/divisions_and_programs.html">DIR Divisions, Boards & Commissions</a></li> <li><a href="/Tribal-Consultation.html">Tribal Consultation</a> <li><a href="/Contactus.html">Contact DIR</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-4 footer_links"> <h2>Work with Us</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/dirjobs/dirjobs.htm">Career Opportunities</a></li> <li><a href="/permits-licenses-certifications.html">Licensing, registrations, certifications & permits</a></li> <li><a href="/dosh/Required-Notifications.html">Required Notifications</a></li> <li><a href="/pra_request.html">Public Records Requests</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="col-md-4 footer_links"> <h2>Learn More</h2> <ul> <li><a href="/Bilingual-Services-Act/default.html">Acceso al idioma</a></li> <li><a href="/faqslist.html" aria-label="Index of frequently asked questions at DIR">Frequently Asked Questions</a></li> <li><a href="/federal-funding-disclosure.html">Federal Funding Disclosure</a></li> <li><a href="/sitemap/sitemap.html" aria-label="Site map for the DIR website">Site Map</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="clear_left"></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container lower_footer" style="max-width:100%;font-size:93%;padding-top:15px;padding-bottom:15px;background:#292929;"> <a href="/RaI/ReportAnIssue.aspx" class="btn btn-app footer-issue-button">Report a website issue</a> <div class="row"> <div class="three-quarters center" style="padding-top:4px;width:80%;margin-left:10%;"> <ul class="footer-links"> <li><a href="#skip-to-content">Back to Top</a></li> <li><a href="/od_pub/conditions.html">Conditions of Use</a></li> <li><a href="/od_pub/disclaimer.html" aria-label="Disclaimer for DIR website.">Disclaimer</a></li> <li><a href="/od_pub/privacy.html">Privacy Policy</a></li> <li><a href="/Nondiscrimination-Notice.html">Nondiscrimination Notice</a></li> <li><a href="/accessibility.html">Accessibility</a></li> <li><a href="/od_pub/help.html">Site Help</a></li> <li><a href="/ContactUs.html">Contact DIR</a></li> </ul> </div> <div class="quarter text-right" style="width:10%;"> <ul class="socialsharer-container" style="padding-top:6px;"> <li><a href="https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR"><span class="ca-gov-icon-share-facebook dark-bkg" aria-hidden="true" title="Facebook"></span><span class="sr-only">Flickr</span></a></li> <li><a href="https://twitter.com/#!/CA_DIR"><img class="x-icon" style="margin-top:3px;vertical-align:top;" src="/images/icons/x-logo-white.png" title="X (Twitter)" /></span><span class="sr-only">Twitter</span></a></li> <li><a href="http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR"><span class="ca-gov-icon-youtube" aria-hidden="true" title="YouTube"></span><span class="sr-only">YouTube</span></a></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div>  <div class="copyright"> <div class="container text-right"> Copyright © <span id="thisyear"> <script>document.getElementById('thisyear').appendChild(document.createTextNode(new Date().getFullYear()))</script> </span> State of California </div> </div> </footer>  <div class="decoration-last"> </div>  <div class="modal fade" id="gt-translate-modal" role="dialog" tabindex="-1"> <div class="modal-dialog modal-lg"> <div class="modal-content"> <div class="modal-header"> <h1 class="modal-title"><img src="/images/icons/icon_globe_large.png" style="vertical-align:bottom;" alt="" /> Language Services at DIR</h1> <button type="button" class="close btn btn-secondary" data-bs-dismiss="modal"><span class="sr-only">Close modal</span><span class="ca-gov-icon-close-mark" aria-hidden="true"></span></button> </div> <div class="modal-body">  <p>The Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) recognizes the importance of communicating effectively with individuals, including those with limited English proficiency. DIR is making an effort to provide meaningful services for individuals that speak languages other than English.</p> <h2 class="like-h3">If you need to access information in a language other than English:</h2> <ul class="spaced large"> <li style="margin-bottom:30px;"><h3 class="like-h4">Use the Google Translate function below:</h3> <div class="displaybox box-8" style="max-width:600px; padding-top:15px;background:#f0f0f0;"> <div id="google_translate_element"></div> <p style="margin-top:20px; padding-left:48px;text-indent:-45px;font-size:96%;"><strong>Note:</strong> This is a service provided by Google. Google Translate cannot translate all types of documents, and may not provide an exact translation.</p> </div> </li> <li><h3 class="like-h4">Contact DIR to request an interpreter over the phone:</h3> <table class="table offices vertical_lines"> <tr> <th>Office Name</th> <th>Topic</th> <th>Phone Numbers</th> </tr> <tr> <td>Cal/OSHA</td> <td>Workplace Safety and Health</td> <td>833-579-0927</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Labor Commissioner's Office</td> <td>Wages, breaks, retaliation and labor laws</td> <td>833-526-4636</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Division of Workers' Compensation</td> <td>Benefits for work-related injuries and illnesses</td> <td>1-800-736-7401</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Office of the Director</td> <td>Any other topic related to the Department of Industrial Relations</td> <td>844-522-6734</td> </tr> </table> </li> </ul>  </div> <div class="modal-footer"> <button type="button" class="btn btn-default" data-bs-dismiss="modal">Close</button> </div> </div> </div> </div>   <script src="https://california.azureedge.net/cdt/statetemplate/6.1.0/js/cagov.core.min.js"></script>  <script type="text/javascript"> function googleTranslateElementInit() { new google.translate.TranslateElement( // {pageLanguage: 'en', layout: google.translate.TranslateElement.InlineLayout.SIMPLE}, {pageLanguage: 'en'}, 'google_translate_element' ); } </script> <script type="text/javascript" src="https://translate.google.com/translate_a/element.js?cb=googleTranslateElementInit"></script>  <script src="/js/libs/jquery.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/js/libs/jquery.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/javascript/custom_scripts.js"></script>   <script type="text/javascript">addLanguageSwitch();</script> <script type="text/javascript" src="/javascript/tabs-style2.js"></script> <script type="text/javascript"> $(document).ready(function() { var needIframeReset = true; $("#ifrSearch").on("load", function() { setIframeHeight(); }); $("#otherIndustries").click(function() { if (needIframeReset) { document.getElementById("ifrSearch").src = document.getElementById("ifrSearch").src; needIframeReset = false; } }); }); function setIframeHeight() { var SPACE_PADDING = 30; var iframeElement = document.getElementById("ifrSearch"); if (iframeElement) { var iframeWin = iframeElement.contentWindow || iframeElement.contentDocument.parentWindow; if (iframeWin.document.body) { iframeElement.style.height = (iframeWin.document.body.offsetHeight + SPACE_PADDING) + "px"; } } } </script> </body> </html>

CINXE.COM

File a Complaint with Cal/OSHA