Staffing Agencies and Safety: A Quick Overview
Last time updated: 3 April, 2023
Last time updated: 3 April, 2023
Last updated on April 3rd, 2023 at 06:29 pm
Safety is one issue that staffing firms should take very seriously, because accidents and worker’s compensation claims have serious implications for the long-term health of your business. Just look at what’s happening in the industry: the Department of Labor has been cracking down on both clients and staffing firms when it comes to worker safety. Earlier this month, the Ohio Supreme Court forced a staffing firm to pay millions in unpaid claims for a firm it took over. And in December, a major news site blasted this headline across its front page: “Temp work Isn’t Only Insecure-It’s More Dangerous Too.”
Worker’s comp and safety in the temporary staffing industry is going to continue being a hot topic as more businesses use a temporary workforce. And it’s an issue that can make or break your firm’s success if you don’t get in front of it. We’re hosting a free Safety for Staffing Agencies webinar with more in depth information on Thursday, June 28 at 1:00-2:00 pm EDT. Register here! And in the meantime, check out this blog specific to staffing that covers current safety regulations and consequences, safety best practices, and the questions you should be asking to ensure your workers’ safety.
According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), staffing agencies and host employers are jointly responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for temporary workers. This includes including ensuring that OSHA’s training, hazard communication, and recordkeeping requirements are fulfilled. As the staffing firm, you have to consider the hazards you are in a position to prevent and correct, and in a position to comply with OSHA standards. For example, you may provide general safety and health training, and host employers provide specific training tailored to the particular workplace equipment/hazards.
As the employer of a worker with a job-related injury, it’s your worker’s compensation policy that takes the hit even if the accident doesn’t occur at your place of business. Any injury that requires medical treatment over a certain dollar amount will affect your worker’s compensation policy, which is hard enough to secure as a staffing firm. If your worker’s compensation claims are high, your rate could increase based upon surcharges or increased experience mods, or the insurance company could cancel your policy altogether.
Another consequence to consider is the reputation of your staffing firm. If your injury rates are high, your firm is in danger of establishing a specific reputation among clients and workers. This could affect the attraction of good workers in a tight labor market, as well as the attraction of new clients or the retention of existing ones.
The following is a short list of safety best practices for staffing firms, both for employee personal safety and for protecting your business. While it is by no means comprehensive, it should give you a good starting place for implementing good safety policies.
Knowing how your client approaches safety starts with asking the right questions. Here is a list of questions to ask when gathering safety information.
These are just some safety basics for your staffing firm. For more a more in depth look on how to ensure safety and loss control, register for our upcoming safety webinar on June 28th. For more resources from Advance Partners, visit our resource page.
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