Temporary workers (temp workers) are workers who are assigned to host employers through a staffing firm to perform work for the host employers on a temporary basis. They typically perform work for several employers throughout the year and are often utilized so the host employer does not have to bring on a permanent worker for a seasonal or occasional need, or, in some cases, to perform labor-intensive jobs.

Consider the following scenario. A temporary worker was hired to work in a manufacturing facility. He was assigned to run a machine. When he was asked if he knew how to run the machine, he replied that he did because he was afraid to admit that he did not know how to run the machine and thought that he would be let go. Thirty minutes later his arm was severed and was not able to be reattached.

When the compliance officers visited the injured temporary worker at his home to interview him about the incident, there were several guitars hung up on the wall. The compliance officer asked who played guitar, and the victim replied that “he used to.” The scenario is just one of many real-life examples that leadership at the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have pointed to with regard to temporary worker safety. It is a scenario that should be top of mind for all employers who utilize temporary workers.