Under the right to refuse work due to imminent danger, when is refusal allowed?

• A. When the worker believes in good faith that imminent danger exists
• B. Only when a supervisor approves
• C. Only after OSHA is on site
• D. Only for certain industries

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that workers can refuse work when they have a good-faith belief that an imminent danger exists—danger that could cause death or serious harm right away if the work continues. This protection doesn’t depend on supervisor approval, OSHA being onsite, or the industry you’re in; it’s about the immediacy and seriousness of the hazard and the worker’s reasonable belief about it.

If you find yourself in a situation you believe is imminently dangerous, you should stop the task and inform your supervisor, documenting the hazard if possible. The employer must investigate and either fix the hazard or reassign you to a safe task. You’re protected from discipline for raising the concern, and the process continues until the danger is resolved.