By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has just updated its “Protecting Temporary Workers” website, for staffing agencies and their clients (i.e., host employers). The page reminds these employers that they are jointly responsible for a  temporary employee’s safety and health .

We have blogged previously about OSHA’s enforcement activities and guidance documents
Continue Reading OSHA Releases Two New Temporary Worker Guidance Documents

By Benjamin D. Briggs, Patrick D. Joyce, and Craig B. Simonsen

Seyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has just reminded temporary staffing agencies and their clients (i.e., host employers) that they are jointly responsible for a  temporary employee’s safety and health in two new guidance documents relating to respiratory protection, noise exposure, and hearing conservation. Temporary agencies and host employers
Continue Reading OSHA Releases Two New Temporary Worker Guidance Documents

By Benjamin D. Briggs, Brent I. Clark, and Craig B. Simonsen

iStock_000060649530_MediumSeyfarth Synopsis: OSHA has just reminded temporary staffing agencies and their clients (i.e., host employers) that they are jointly responsible for temporary employee’s safety and health in two new guidance documents relating to safety and health training and hazard communications. Temporary agencies and host employers that
Continue Reading OSHA Releases Two More Temporary Worker Guidance Documents

By Brent I. Clark, Meagan Newman, and Craig B. Simonsen

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health released yesterday their “new” guidance for “Recommended Practices” to protect temporary workers’ safety and health, for staffing agencies and host employers. DHHS No. 2014-139 (August 25, 2014).

This new guidance comes on
Continue Reading New Guidance for “Recommended Practices” to Protect Temporary Workers

By James L. Curtis and Craig B. Simonsen

Thomas Galassi, the Director of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement Programs, recently issued a Memorandum to Regional Administrators on OSHA’s “Policy Background on the Temporary Worker Initiative.” It provides a good lesson from the Agency’s perspective.

We had blogged previously about OSHA’s national emphasis on temporary workers. For instance, Administrator David Michaels published
Continue Reading OSHA Issues Memo to “Remind” its Field Staff about Enforcement Policy on Temporary Workers

By Brent I. Clark and Craig B. Simonsen

The OSHA National Advisory Committee Workgroup will meet to continue its discussion of issues relating to the protection of temporary workers.

The Workgroup will be discussing issues that include perceived gaps in workplace protection for temporary workers, differences between temporary workers and contract workers, and joint responsibility of host employers and staffing
Continue Reading OSHA Holding National Advisory Committee Workgroup Meeting on Temporary Worker Issues

By Brent I. Clark, Meagan Newman, and Craig B. Simonsen

OSHA has just announced its first in a series of guidance documents concerning compliance with safety and health requirements when temporary workers are employed under joint (or dual) employment of a staffing agency and a host employer. TWI Bulletin No. 1.

We had blogged previously about Administrator David
Continue Reading OSHA Publishes First in Series of Temporary Worker Initiative Guidance Documents – Injury and Illness Recordkeeping Requirements

By Brent I. Clark and Meagan Newman

In a recent op-ed OSHA’s top administrator, David Michaels, makes clear that OSHA’s temporary worker focus, announced earlier this year, is here to stay.

We blogged earlier this year when the initiative was announced. In the op-ed Michaels draws a direct connection between the length of time on the job and the
Continue Reading Michaels Opines on OSHA’s Temporary Worker Focus: Emphasis on Training

By Mark A. Lies II, Meagan Newman, and Kerry Mohan

Citing recent reports of deaths of temporary employees, many of which have occurred on the first day of the job, OSHA issued a memorandum this week to its Regional Administrators outlining new measures to protect the health and safety of temporary employees.  The agency is making a concerted effort
Continue Reading OSHA Zeroes in on Temporary Worker Issues

By Brent I. Clark and Meagan Newman

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that more than 2.5 million temporary workers were on U.S. payrolls last month.  This figure does not include farm workers.  While employers see advantages to using temp workers they must also be cognizant of the potential liability for workplace safety and health of those workers.

With very
Continue Reading Temp Employees Bring OSHA Liability