OSHA Defense

Keeping Temporary Workers Safe featured image

Keeping Temporary Workers Safe

Every worker, no matter their job, is entitled to a safe work environment. Unfortunately, safe working conditions are not always made available for temporary workers. Despite being a growing part of the American workforce, temporary workers are offered fewer health benefits than their permanent colleagues and are at a greater risk of being injured on the job.

Many of these temp workers are employed in blue-collar positions in the construction industry. Work for them is no less dangerous than it is for anyone else and there are several procedures that should be followed to keep them safe. In this article, an OSHA defense lawyer will discuss these procedures further.

Safety Is a Joint Effort

Under the law, the role that a staffing agency and employer play in the safety of their workers varies. However, it is the responsibility of both to ensure that temporary workers are kept safe. This includes proper training, recordkeeping, and hazard communication. In the event of a violation, OSHA could hold both parties responsible. Therefore, it is in the best interest of both agency and employer that they maintain communication and each address the hazards that they are most capable of preventing and resolving.

The Role of a Staffing Agency

It is the employment agency’s responsibility to provide general health and safety training. They must also look into any potential hazards that could be encountered in the workplace. If potential hazards are discovered, it is their duty to follow up with the employer to ensure that protection is being offered to their workers.

The Role of an Employer

It is the employer’s duty to provide any specific training needed for a worker to perform their job safely. Most importantly, an employer must treat all workers equally whether they are temporary or permanent.

Ignorance of a hazard does not excuse an employer or agency from fault in the event of an accident on the jobsite. If you are concerned for the safety of your temporary employees, please contact an OSHA defense lawyer to ensure that you are OSHA compliant.

If you would like to speak with one of our OSHA attorneys, please contact us today.

 

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.