Safe
ty in the workplace is a major concern for all workers, but safety for temp workers has recently become a major focus for OSHA and for many temp agencies as well. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that about 17% of deaths from the workplace are from the temporary workforce.
It is essential
that temporary workers receive the same safety training as all employees and follow all PPE protocols immediately and always. It’s also important that they receive training before operating any equipment and understand that they should not operate equipment or put themselves in a situation that they don’t feel adequately trained in. OSHA’s new guidelines urge staffing agencies and employers of temporary workers to communicate in order to best keep their temps safe, as it is both of their responsibilities to train and educate them.
Further, any changes in safety protocol should be communicated to the entire team to ensure everyone is safe on the job. Keeping up to date and educating your employees on these protocols could not only save you a future legal battle, but can also save a limb or, more importantly, a life.
Agencies like Nesco can communicate safety protocols prior to employees entering a work site. And many onsite management programs do the same.
Through Nesco’s Safety First program, worker safety at all client sites is monitored and the conditions for temporary employees is examined for faults or areas of improvement. But safety can also be an important point in employee turnover. Employees that are properly oriented to possible workplace hazards and who know about proper safety gear, are more likely to feel happier in the workplace.
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