Temp Workers Need Protection From Injuries

The farming and construction industries often rely on temporary workers, who may face a greater risk of accidents because they often lack training and personal protection equipment.

Temporary workers often do not receive the kind of work protections that full-time employees may receive. If they do not speak English, they may not be fully aware of their rights to personal safety gear and training. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration recently recognized the kind of risks facing temp workers across the country and launched an initiative to help keep them safe.

An OSHA memorandum orders inspectors to use of special codes to identify when temps are exposed to the risk of on-the-job injuries due to safety and health violations. The inspectors will also be required to assess whether temporary workers have received training to perform their jobs and whether the training has been delivered in a language they understand.

The memorandum is aimed at closing many of the loopholes that employers use to undermine a temporary worker’s right to a safe workplace.

OSHA has also begun collaborating with the American Staffing Association to promote better practices that help keep temps safe on the job.

Michael Parsons is an Atlanta workplace accident lawyer, representing injured workers in the metro Atlanta region and helping them recover the benefits that they have earned.

Source: OSHA