Protecting temporary workers

Forty-six percent of U.S. employers intend to hire temporary workers in 2015 – an even higher rate than hired in 2014. Federal OSHA and NIOSH recently launched an initiative to improve safety for this often vulnerable workforce, with the recognition that temporary workers get hurt and die on the job more frequently than the permanent workforce.

This initiative more clearly defines responsibilities for worker safety and health, as illustrated in this quote posted on OSHA’s Protecting Temporary Workers webpage:

“Host employers need to treat temporary workers as they treat existing employees. Temporary staffing agencies and host employers share control over the employee, and are therefore jointly responsible for temp employee’s safety and health. It is essential that both employers comply with all relevant OSHA requirements.” David Michaels, PhD, MPH, Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health.

Whether you are an employer who hires temporary workers as part of your workforce, a risk or loss control manager who provides safety and health support, or a staffing agency that places workers – you have an important role to play in the protection of this group of workers. Are you making incorrect assumptions about your responsibilities? Are you looking for ideas to improve your practices?

We are pleased to sponsor a full day dialogue on this topic, integrating presentations from regulators, safety and health professionals, and staffing agency representatives. We hope that you will check out the program and join us for this important discussion on Thursday, May 28, 2015. We appreciate our event supporters Oregon OSHA, SAIF Corporation, and Right Sourcing, along with the organizations providing presenters including Oregon Worker Compensation Division, Action Employment, BBSI, Wood Castle Furniture, NW Staffing, Selectemp, and CSR.