The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (“OSHA”) issued a new policy in April of 2013
focused on protecting temporary workers. In a memorandum that was issued to all OSHA Regional
Directors, the agency explained that the policy was needed because there were several 2013
workplace fatalities involving temporary workers who had not received adequate training. Going
forward, all OSHA investigators have been instructed that they need to “determine within the scope
of their inspections whether any employees are temporary workers and whether any of the identified
temporary employees are exposed to a violative condition.”
OSHA’s new policy does not appear to be a dramatic or drastic change in the agency’s direction at
this time. Employers who employ temporary workers through staffing agencies have always had – and
will continue to have – an obligation to ensure that those workers are correctly trained and protected
from workplace hazards (e.g., personal protective equipment, lockout/tagout, and HazCom, to name
just a few). Similarly, staffing agencies who have absolutely no supervisory role over employees or
any control over the workplace at issue would not appear to be subject to citations under OSHA’s
multi-employer worksite doctrine. However, OSHA’s initiative seemingly includes a desire to place an
affirmative “due diligence” obligation on staffing agencies to know what tasks their employees will be
performing after being assigned to an employer and/or what safety hazards they might be exposed
to. At this point, OSHA has not explained exactly what such a “due diligence” obligation might include.
We will report on any developments if and when the agency provides additional guidance.
To learn more, contact Patrick V. Melfi at (315) 218-8632 or pmelfi@bsk.com.