“While the extent of responsibility under the law of staffing agencies and host employers is dependent on the specific facts of each case, staffing agencies and host employers are jointly responsible for maintaining a safe work environment for temporary workers – including, for example, ensuring that OSHA’s training, hazard communication, and recordkeeping requirements are fulfilled.” – OSHA.gov

In order for both parties to have clear and concise expectations for protecting the safety of workers, responsibilities should be clearly outlined in a service agreement or contract. Having this language settled on early on helps prevent any confusion as occurrences happen in the future. While both the host employer and the staffing firm share in control over the worker, neither party should rely solely on the other to ensure the health and safety of the employee. Clear communication between the host employer and the staffing firm regarding job specific training, appropriate PPE, skillset required to safely perform the job duties and workplace hazards training.

Here are a few tips from OSHA on the topic:

• The key is communication between the agency and the host to ensure that the necessary protections are provided.
• Staffing agencies have a duty to inquire into the conditions of their workers’ assigned workplaces. They must ensure that they are sending workers to a safe workplace.
• Ignorance of hazards is not an excuse.
• Staffing agencies need not become experts on specific workplace hazards, but they should determine what conditions exist at their client (host) agencies, what hazards may be encountered, and how best to ensure protection for the temporary workers.
• The staffing agency has the duty to inquire and verify that the host has fulfilled its responsibilities for a safe workplace.
• And, just as important: Host employers must treat temporary workers like any other workers in terms of training and safety and health protections.

Because staffing firms often do not visit the workplace daily they should be sure to communicate openly with workers and encourage workers to report any hazards, changes in workplace safety, or other concerns quickly so they may be addressed accordingly.

Are you a stand out professional, technical professional, driver, or skilled worker seeking contingent, temporary, or long term career opportunities?  Visit our job board  for more information!  Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of professionals and skilled workers? Contact us today!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

1. Logging Workers- With a number of constantly changing factors including job location, surrounding hazards, wind speed, and less than predictable falling directions; logging workers have no doubt a dangerous occupation.

2. Fishing Related Occupations– Dangerous weather conditions, faulty equipment, and drownings all add to the safety threat for this group.

3. Aircraft Pilots and Flight Engineers– Despite technology improvements and state of the art equipment, mechanical issues and inclement weather add to the dangers of the job.

4. Roofers– Improper use of PPE, extreme heights, faulty equipment, slips, falls, and dangerous job sites all add to the injury exposure for roofers.

5. Structural Iron and Steel Workers- Working at extreme heights while handling heavy materials, these employees have a large exposure to falls, slips, crushes, and welding related injuries.

Regardless of your occupation finding the appropriate PPE, safety training, and identifying hazards are key to remaining safe on the job. Even those working in seemingly “safe” jobs can be injured when not following safety protocol and being aware of  their surroundings.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today! If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

This revision includes two major changes; being the required use of new labeling elements and a standardized format for Safety Data Sheets replacing Material Safety Data Sheets. These changes were set forth to improve worker understanding of the hazards associated with the chemicals present in their workplace. OSHA has phased the new requirements in from December 2013 through June 2016.

The minimum required training topics to be completed by December 1, 2013 according to OSHA’s website include:

Training on label elements including information on:

• Type of information the employee would expect to see on the new labels, including the

1. Product identifier: how the hazardous chemical is identified. This can be (but is not limited to) the chemical name, code number or batch number. The manufacturer, importer or distributor can decide the appropriate product identifier. The same product identifier must be both on the label and in Section 1 of the SDS (Identification).
2. Signal word: used to indicate the relative level of severity of hazard and alert the
   reader to a potential hazard on the label. There are only two signal words, “Danger” and “Warning.” Within a specific hazard class, “Danger” is used for the more severe
   hazards and “Warning” is used for the less severe hazards. There will only be one
   signal word on the label no matter how many hazards a chemical may have. If one
   of the hazards warrants a “Danger” signal word and another warrants the signal word
   “Warning,” then only “Danger” should appear on the label.
3. Pictogram: OSHA’s required pictograms must be in the shape of a square set at a
   point and include a black hazard symbol on a white background with a red frame
   sufficiently wide enough to be clearly visible. A square red frame set at a point
   without a hazard symbol is not a pictogram and is not permitted on the label. OSHA
   has designated eight pictograms under this standard for application to a hazard
   category.  OSHA3491QuickCardPictogram
4. Hazard statement(s): describe the nature of the hazard(s) of a chemical, including,
   where appropriate, the degree of hazard. For example: “Causes damage to kidneys
   through prolonged or repeated exposure when absorbed through the skin.” All of the applicable hazard statements must appear on the label. Hazard statements may
   be combined where appropriate to reduce redundancies and improve readability. The
   hazard statements are specific to the hazard classification categories, and chemical users should always see the same statement for the same hazards, no matter what the chemical is or who produces it.
5. Precautionary statement(s): means a phrase that describes recommended measures that should be taken to minimize or prevent adverse effects resulting from exposure to a hazardous chemical or improper storage or handling.
6. Name, address and phone number of the chemical manufacturer, distributor, or importer.

• How an employee might use the labels in the workplace. For example:

1. Explain how information on the label can be used to ensure proper storage of hazardous chemicals.
2. Explain how the information on the label might be used to quickly locate information
   on first aid when needed by employees or emergency personnel.

• General understanding of how the elements work together on a label. For example:

1. Explain that where a chemical has multiple hazards, different pictograms are used to
   identify the various hazards. The employee should expect to see the appropriate
   pictogram for the corresponding hazard class.
2. Explain that when there are similar precautionary statements, the one providing
   the most protective information will be included on the label.

Training on the format of the SDS must include information on:

•  Standardized 16-section format, including the type of information found in the various sections.

1. For example, the employee should be instructed that with the new format, Section 8 (Exposure Controls/Personal Protection) will always contain information about
   exposure limits, engineering controls and ways to protect yourself, including personal protective equipment.

• How the information on the label is related to the SDS.

1. For example, explain that the precautionary statements would be the same on the label and on the SDS.

For more information on the revisions visit OSHA’s website here.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of top level talent? Contact us today!  If you are a stand out in your profession and seeking contingent or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.

This week the construction of the new “Levi’s Stadium”, future home of the 49er’s was plagued with a work related fatality. A local contractor lost one of their long time elevator workers when he was struck by a falling counterweight while standing on a ladder at the bottom of an elevator shaft. Even with 43 years of experience on the job and what has been reported as appropriate PPE for the job, this 63 year old was lost. The $1.3 billion project with approximately 1,000 tradesmen on site was shut down for two days. How can you protect your team before it’s too late?

Host and engage your staff in regular safety meetings. Even the most qualified and experienced of tradesmen need to be reminded of safety procedures, cautions, and be aware of what is taking place on the job site. Regularly screen employees for PPE and question them on their safety precautions. Encourage all contractors on site to report any safety concerns or possible dangers to the on site safety manager immediately. Some of the safest sites include those who offer bonuses to those who report safety concerns and offer rewards for long periods of time on site without injury.

While maintaining and regularly evaluating your job sites for safety concerns can be time consuming and cost additional investment dollars, the return on investment is undeniable. Simple investments such as reflective vests, bright colored hard hats, additional safety fencing, and mirrors can save costly injuries quickly. Be sure to include all temporary workers who are on site in your regular safety meetings and practices. Everyone on site, regardless of their length of employment should have a part in maintaining a safe job site.

Want to learn more about how you can gain access to Trillium’s national network of experienced construction workers? Contact us today!  If you are a stand out skilled trades worker seeking short or long term career opportunities, visit our job seekers section for more information!

Trillium, a national leader in staffing and recruitment is a valued staffing partner to over 5,000 companies nationwide. Trillium is privately owned by Oskar René Poch.