Rhode Island § 28-21-8 - Hazardous Substances Right-To-Know Act

§ 28-21-8. Employee rights.

The following rights are guaranteed to employees:

(1) Refusing to work. If an employee has requested from his or her employer information about a designated substance or mixture, either in the form of material safety data sheets or the chemical identification list as defined in § 28-21-1, and has not received this information from the employer within three (3) working days of the date of the request, not including weekends or holidays, the employee may then refuse to work with or be exposed to the designated substance or mixture. Notwithstanding the provisions of this subdivision, if the employer has invoked and complied with the procedures set forth in § 28-21-3(c), the time period of three (3) working days, not including weekends or holidays, shall be extended to equal any time period provided to the manufacturer or employer under § 28-21-3(c), or until the information has been received by the employer, whichever is sooner.

(2) Discipline, discrimination prohibited. An employer may not discharge or otherwise discipline or discriminate against any employee because the employee has exercised his or her right under § 28-21-6 and/or this section, or has testified or is about to testify in any proceeding related to this chapter.

(3) Waivers prohibited. An employer may not request or require any employee to waive any rights under this chapter.

(4) Remedies and complaint procedure for employees.

(i) Any employee who has been discharged, disciplined, or otherwise discriminated against by any employer in violation of this chapter may, within one hundred eighty (180) days after the violation occurs or ninety (90) days after the employee first obtains knowledge that a violation has occurred, commence an action in any appropriate court of law alleging wrongful dismissal in violation of this chapter.

(ii) In addition to but not in lieu of the action in paragraph (i) of this subdivision, any employee may commence any action in any appropriate court of law to enforce any obligation, duty, or responsibility imposed upon him or her or the employer under the provisions of this chapter.