Just because you’re not a permanent worker doesn’t mean that you don’t have the same rights. And now, officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) are going to work harder to make sure that you’re getting the same opportunities and protection.
Recently, OSHA officials announced an initiative to further protect temporary employees from workplace hazards. This announcement came with perfect timing, too — at the annual Workers’ Memorial Day event. This event is used to honor employees who were killed on the job and to help to renew a commitment to making work sites across the nation safer. So if you’re a contracted worker, listen up. There are some things you have to know — and your safety relies on it.
Our Quincy workers’ compensation lawyers understand that temporary workers have the same rights as permanent workers. They should be provided with the same safety equipment, the same training and the same rights as everyone else. Now, OSHA officials are working to make sure that’s the case. Officials with OSHA will now be using a new code to help to determine when temporary workers are exposed to unnecessary dangers and various health violations.
It’s not only important that these workers are getting the proper training, but it’s important that they’re getting it in a language that they can understand.
Each year, there are thousands who are killed on the job. Unfortunately, many of these fatalities were of temporary workers. Many of these fatal accidents could be prevented if workers to take the proper safety precautions to stop the dangers before they arise.
“Workers must be safe, whether they’ve been on the job for one day or for 25 years,” said Dr. David Michaels with OSHA.
In addition to this new code, officials have started working alongside the American Staffing Association and companies that use these kinds of agencies for workers. By teaming up with these programs and companies, they’re trying to help to make sure that temporary workers are taken care of on the job.
This partnership was sparked after a number of reports and accidents in recent months involving temporary workers. Many of these reports involved fatalities. A lot of them even happened during the worker’s first day on the job. With these reports, many citations followed. But the problem here is that we need to get to the root of the problem before it strikes.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 10 percent of worker fatalities recorded in 2011 were of contracted workers.
If you’re a temporary worker, you have rights! If you feel like you’re being short-changed on the job and your safety is a risk, don’t be afraid to speak up. If you need more help, more training or more safety equipment, it’s your right to have it. Talk with your employer about your needs and help to ensure a safe work day.
If you or a loved one was involved in a work accident in Massachusetts, call Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers for a free and confidential appointment — (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Industrial Accident Injuries Don’t Get Much Press, But are Very Serious, Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Blog, May 1, 2013
OHSA Cites Nuway Tobacco for Safety Violations, Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Lawyers Blog, April 30, 2013