temporary workers

Free technical report helps employers protect temporary workers

September 21, 2023

Many businesses are increasingly using temporary workers during the holiday season and throughout the year, making it challenging to provide safe environments without proper planning and guidance.

A NIOSH Science Blog post

Injury among temporary and permanent workers in Ohio

Steve Wurzelbacher PhD Ibraheem S. Al‐Tarawneh PhD Stephen Bertke PhD

January 17, 2020

This study found that workers employed in temporary agencies had higher overall injury rates than permanently employed workers performing comparable work from 2001 to 2013 among Ohio‐insured private employers. Injured temporary agency workers were younger, more likely to be male, and had less tenure (especially those with less than a year on the job) compared to permanently employed workers.

National COSH rolls out this year’s Dirty Dozen

Maureen Paraventi

April 24, 2019

The world’s largest online seller of goods tops the “Dirty Dozen” list of unsafe employers released by the National Council for Occupational Safety and Health’s (National COSH) today. The annual reveal is timed to coincide with Workers Memorial Week (April 22 – 29), which honors those who have been injured, suffered illnesses or lost their lives at work. Amazon as had six worker fatalities at its facilities since 2018;.

OSHA recommends contract to protect temp workers

February 14, 2019

While the extent of responsibility under the law of staffing agencies and host employers is dependent on the specific facts of each case, staffing agencies and host employers are jointly responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for temporary workers - including, for example, ensuring that OSHA's training, hazard communication, and recordkeeping requirements are fulfilled.

‘Tis the season to be safe

November 27, 2018

With the holiday shopping season officially underway, OSHA is reminding employers to protect their workers, many of whom are new or temporary hires working in intense conditions. “Whether employees are stocking shelves, packing boxes, delivering products, or selling merchandise, they have the right to a safe workplace,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Loren Sweatt.

A temp worker safety reminder from OSHA

November 23, 2018

Temporary workers should be protected from the sudden release of stored energy just as permanent workers are. That reminder from OSHA comes in a newly issued bulletin on lockout/tagout that explains the joint responsibility of host employers and staffing agencies to ensure that temporary employees are properly protected against this serious – potentially fatal - workplace hazard.

AIHA and OSHA renew worker safety & health alliance

November 9, 2018

The American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA®) and OSHAhave renewed a partnership aimed at fostering safer and more healthful American workplaces. Through the alliance, the two organizations will pursue the following national priorities, among others: young worker health and safety; temporary workers; workplace hazards within emerging industries; disaster preparedness, response and recovery; and opioids in the workplace.

New publications available from OSHA

July 6, 2018

OSHA recently issued several new publications providing solutions to hazards in specific occupations and industries:

NSC alerts employers to 6 areas of safety concern for workers

Warning comes in advance of Workers’ Memorial Day, which honors those who have died on the job

April 27, 2018

In recognition of Workers’ Memorial Day on April 28, the National Safety Council is drawing attention to six areas of safety concern for U.S. employees. “Workers’ Memorial Day is a time to remember those who lost their lives on the job, to reflect on lessons learned and to bolster our commitment to worker safety,” said Mark P. Vergnano, chairman of the National Safety Council Board and president and CEO of The Chemours Company.

A Confined Space blog post

Trump’s worker safety & health budget again undermines worker safety & health

Jordan Barab

February 16, 2018

Earlier this week, President Trump submitted his Fiscal Year 2019 budget proposal. This is his second budget proposal, and like the first, although it left OSHA’s budget fairly flat, it once again proposes to slash or eliminate important safety and health programs and agencies.