Ed Foulke’s article “Safety First” was featured in Security Management on May 1, 2015.
In June 2014, OSHA handed out a $135,200 fine to a Texas fruit and vegetable processor and its staffing agency for exposing temporary employees to dangerous noise levels, toxic chemicals, and other alleged hazards. The action is one of many, indicating that the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has begun taking employers to task over safety violations involving temporary employees.
The processor was cited for 12 serious safety and health violations, with a penalty of $76,100, for failing to prevent workers from exposure to hazardous chemicals; identify and evaluate respiratory hazards in the workplace; and ensure that a hearing conservation program was implemented for workers exposed to noise levels that would cause permanent hearing damage, according to an OSHA announcement.
In the article, Ed discusses several cases in which OSHA has taken action in recent months, and how the agency’s interest in the safety and health of temporary employees is expected to continue.
This being the case, Ed advises employers to be aware of their legal rights, responsibilities, and potential liabilities when using temporary employees. He also states that, temporary staffing agencies should recognize that joint liability may be placed on them and that they should do everything to ensure that the temporary employees they provide to host employers are protected from any safety and health hazards.
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