unless they knew specifically what rules required what in that situation, the violations may not have been willful.We were authorized by our employer to violate safe workplace law?
Often times, an employer misinterprets OSHA rules. Dang, I have been though some OSHA training and one thing the OSHA rep said: no matter what I tell you today, if the inspector in the field tomorrow determines something to be a violation, it is a violation, even if in direct contrast to what I tell you now.
The OSHA rules are also available to you.
and above all else, common sense has to come into play somewhere. If you deem something unsafe, just don't do it. You are in charge of you and ultimately, your safety. If you were required to wear a safety harness and they hand you one that has a strap cut half through, would you simply put it on because they said that is all they had? If you are not willing to demand safety, you will get abused. That is just a simple fact in American business.
anyway, if you signed a release, you have no claim. The possibility of a willful violation is something you should have investigated then, before you signed the release.

