Protecting Temporary Workers from Occupational Health and Safety Hazards

Millions of people across the globe work as temporary or contract employees for businesses and institutions. These workers are involved with everything from clerical and administrative functions to construction, manufacturing, industrial, and healthcare services.
 
The demand for temporary labor has grown in recent years and this trend is expected to continue. As more companies turn to temporary employees, some employers are not clear as to who is responsible for temporary worker safety. In “Protecting Temporary Workers,” a recommended practices bulletin that was jointly published by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the agencies state the following regarding this important topic:
 
Whether temporary or permanent, all workers always have a right to a safe and healthy workplace. The staffing agency and the staffing agency’s client (the host employer) are joint employers of temporary workers and, therefore, both are responsible for providing and maintaining a safe work environment for those workers. The staffing agency and the host employer must work together to ensure that the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (the OSH Act) requirements are fully met. See 29 U.S.C. § 651. The extent of the obligations of each employer will vary depending on workplace conditions and should therefore be described in the agreement or contract between the employers. Their safety and health responsibilities will sometimes overlap. Either the staffing agency or the host employer may be better suited to ensure compliance with a particular requirement, and may assume primary responsibility for it. The joint employment structure requires effective communication and a common understanding of the division of responsibilities for safety and health. Ideally, these will be set forth in a written contract.
 
“Whether workers are temporary, seasonal, or full-time employees, there are dedicated professionals known as Certified Industrial Hygienists (CIHs) that labor tirelessly to protect their health and safety,” said Jeffrey Miller, PhD, CIH^® and Chair of ABIH^®. “CIHs are employed in countries worldwide and are instrumental in helping private employers, institutions, and government agencies improve the health and safety of workers in all types of industries and all categories of employment. We encourage business leaders to look to the expertise of CIHs to manage and implement programs to protect workers and their communities.”
 
To learn more about the American Board of Industrial Hygiene^®, Certified Industrial Hygienist^® credential, or to locate a CIH^® to perform industrial hygiene services, please visit www.ABIH.org, email abih@ABIH.org , or call (517) 321-2638.
 
About the American Board of Industrial Hygiene ^®
Since 1960, ABIH^®, a not-for-profit corporation, has been the world’s largest organization for certifying professionals in the practice of industrial hygiene. ABIH^® is the premier credentialing body responsible for ensuring high-quality certification including education, experience, examination, certification maintenance, and ethics enforcement. Currently, more than 6900 people in 32 countries are certified to use the CIH^® credential. ABIH^® also administers the Qualified Environmental Professional (QEP^®) credential for established environmental practitioners and the Environmental Professional In-Training (EPI) designation for early-career practitioners.
 
 

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Paul Cochrane

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