When you set foot on a job site, nothing is more important than staying safe. As a temporary worker, you don’t have all the same benefits as permanent staffers, but safety matters are always an equal playing field. Your employer and your staffing firm are jointly responsible for keeping you safe on the job, and that starts with providing you with proper safety training.
The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) could hold both your employer and the staffing firm liable if you’re hurt on a jobsite, so both should be laser-focused on your job training activities. Generally speaking, staffing firms are responsible for providing general health and safety training and employers are tasked with arranging company-specific training.
Prior to starting the job, your staffing firm must assess the hazards present at the jobsite and determine the type of training needed to keep you safe. Expect your recruiter to work with the employer to find out what training you’ll receive and check back to make sure the program was completed.
Know Your Rights to a Safe Workplace
Everyone is entitled to work at a jobsite free of known health and safety hazards, so don’t let anyone tell you your status as a temporary employee leaves you vulnerable. As previously noted, host employers are required by OSHA to provide temporary workers with the same training and safety and health protections as everyone else, so don’t settle for anything less.
Keep these OSHA rules in mind — among many others — if you suspect your safety is not being taken seriously. You have the right to:
- Be trained in a language you understand.
- Work on safe machinery.
- Receive proper safety gear needed to do the job.
- Have protection from toxic chemicals.
- Report an injury or illness and receive copies of your medical records.
Safety is paramount to OSHA, so speak up if you feel like you’ve been rushed into a hazardous work environment without receiving proper training. OSHA has measures in place to keep you safe from retaliation, so never let a fear of vengeance or anything else come before your safety.
If you’re a talented manufacturing or engineering professional ready to make a career move, contact Premium Staffing, Inc. Our expert recruiters will connect you with leading Chicagoland employers, while preserving your confidentiality.