McDonald’s workers in US file complaints over work place hazards

McDonald's employees across the United States have filed complaints against the fast food giant over workplace hazards that are increasingly endangering workers' health and safety and the lack of protective equipment at work places.

The complaints were filed over the last two weeks with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) against McDonald's locations in 19 cities over burns from popping grease and other workplace hazards.

According to labour representatives, workers have filed about 28 complaints against McDonald's over a multitude of workplace hazards that are increasingly endangering their health and safety.

The complaints mostly relate to frequent on-the-job injuries, especially burns from hot, splattering grease, ineffective or unavailable safety equipment, pressure from managers to work at unsafe speed, lack of safety gloves, and a general lack of training for working hot fryers and disposing of hot grease.

The employees also cited the management's lackadaisical approach to first aid in many cases. To cite an instance, the Christian Science Monitor quoted Martisse Campbell, a Philadelphia employee as saying that after  getting badly burned by grease, he was told by a manager, "put mayonnaise on it, you'll be good."

The complaints are part of the move to secure pay of $15 an hour and unionisation for fast-food workers by publicly pressuring McDonald's to come to the negotiating table.

The push that began more than two years ago, is being spearheaded by the Service Employees International Union.

In a statement issued on Monday, McDonald's Corp rebutted the employees' complaints and said the company and its independent franchisees are committed to providing safe working conditions for employees and will review the allegations.