Work Stop Authority

Stop Work Authority is a right you have, and it gives you the power to stop work if you feel that an unsafe or behavior may result in a serious incident.  Stop Work Authority empowers you to speak up when you see a danger, creating a culture of safety. 

Legal right to refuse a task using “Stop Work Authority” if:

-        When possible, you have asked the employer to eliminate the danger.

-        You refused to work in “good faith”.  This means you must genuinely believe that an imminent danger exists.

-        A reasonable person would agree that there is a real danger of death or serious injury.

-        There isn’t enough time, due to the urgency of the hazard, to get it corrected through regular enforcement channels, such as requesting an OSHA Inspection.

You should take the following steps:

-        Ask your employer to correct the hazard or assign other work.

-        Tell your employer that you won’t perform the work unless and until the hazard is corrected.

-        Remain at the worksite until ordered to leave by your employer.

Some examples of “Stop Work Authority” are:

-        You see some carrying raw glass without any PPE on.  You have the right to stop them immediately and correct the issue.  This is extremely dangerous and you, in good faith, do not want to see that person get hurt by performing that task without PPE.

-        You are working on a line and notice that there is an unguarded chain that you could get caught in.  You have the right to stop your work until that is corrected or moved from the area.

-        You are not trained to use a hoist or PIV, but you are instructed to go operate one.  You have the right to refuse because you are not properly trained.