OSHA Bulletin Covers Recordkeeping Requirements for Temporary Workers
It discusses the requirements for staffing agencies that supply the workers and for the host employers.
OSHA on March 13 released an educational bulletin about requirements for recording injuries illnesses of temporary workers. The new bulletin explains the requirements for both staffing agencies and host employers, explaining how to determine who is responsible for recording work-related injuries and illnesses of temp workers on the OSHA 300 log. This is part of OSHA's Temporary Worker Initiative, which uses enforcement, outreach, and training to ensure temporary workers are protected in their workplaces.
"The Recordkeeping Bulletin is the first of many materials we are releasing and helps clarify which employers are responsible for reporting injuries and illnesses. These materials will provide valuable information for both host employers and staffing agencies on how they can work together to make sure their workers are properly trained and protected," said Assistant Secretary Dr. David Michaels.
The American Staffing Association's general counsel, Stephen Dwyer, said ASA "appreciates and supports OSHA's efforts to ensure temporary workers' safety and well-being and looks forward to continuing to work with OSHA towards that end."
The association reported in early March 2014 that U.S. staffing companies employed an average of 3 million temporary and contract workers per week in 2013, a 4 percent increase from 2012, and that over the course of 2013, staffing firms hired a total of 11 million temporary and contract employees. "Staffing and recruiting companies are employment experts, matching millions of people and their skills and lifestyle needs with millions of jobs every day. Staffing firms provide temporary, contract, and permanent employment opportunities—at no cost for job seekers—in virtually all occupations across all sectors of the economy," said Richard Wahlquist, ASA's president and chief executive officer.
OSHA said the bulletin is the first in a series of guidance documents that will be released to support the Temporary Worker Initiative.