OSHA releases new educational bulletin on injury recording requirements to help protect temporary workers
First of many materials to help clarify which employers are responsible for reporting injuries and illnesses
By Jesse Lawder
The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration released a new educational resource that focuses on requirements for injury recording of temporary worker injuries and illnesses. The bulletin explains the requirements for both the staffing agency and the host employer. The new Recordkeeping Bulletin addresses how to identify who is responsible for recording work-related injuries and illnesses of temporary workers on the OSHA 300 log.
OSHA's Temporary Worker Initiative is an agency-wide concerted effort that uses enforcement, outreach and training to assure that temporary workers are protected in their workplaces. In recent months, OSHA has received and investigated many reports of temporary workers suffering serious or fatal injuries, many of which occur within their first week on the job. OSHA's initiative was launched to raise awareness and compliance with requirements that temporary workers receive the same training and protection that existing workers receive.
"The Recordkeeping Bulletin is the first of many materials we are releasing and helps clarify which employers are responsible for reporting injuries and illnesses," said Dr. David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "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."
"The American Staffing Association 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," said Stephen Dwyer, general counsel with ASA, the national trade association representing the staffing industry.
Under the OSHA Recordkeeping regulation (29 CFR 1904), covered employers are required to prepare and maintain records of serious occupational injuries and illnesses.
The temporary worker Recordkeeping Bulletin helps businesses determine which employer is responsible for recording work-related injuries and illness on the OSHA 300 log. This is the first in a series of guidance documents that will be released to support the initiative to raise awareness about compliance with OSHA requirements for temporary workers.
For more information on OSHA's Recordkeeping and Reporting requirements, visit www.osha.gov/recordkeeping. Additional information and resources on temporary workers can be accessed at www.osha.gov/temp_workers.
About the Author
Jesse Lawder is the Special Assistant at U.S. Department of Labor.
