Temporary workers often have two employers involved in their assignment—the staffing agency and the host employer. Effective coordination between both organizations is essential to ensure workers receive the training, information, supervision, and resources needed to work safely. Before temporary workers begin their assignments, responsibilities for safety orientation, hazard communication, job-specific training, personal protective equipment (PPE), supervision, and emergency procedures should be clearly understood.
This toolbox talk reviews the importance of safety coordination between staffing agencies and host employers and reinforces that every temporary worker deserves a safe and healthy workplace.
Why This Matters
- Clear communication between the staffing agency and host employer helps prevent safety gaps.
- Temporary workers need both general and site-specific safety information before beginning work.
- Proper coordination ensures workers receive the training appropriate for their assigned tasks.
- Defined responsibilities improve hazard reporting, supervision, and incident response.
- Every worker has the right to understand workplace hazards and perform work safely.
Common Challenges
- Unclear responsibility for safety training or orientation.
- Temporary workers beginning work before receiving site-specific instruction.
- Poor communication about job hazards or changing work conditions.
- Workers assigned tasks beyond their training or authorization.
- Confusion regarding PPE requirements or who provides it.
- Uncertainty about reporting injuries, hazards, or near misses.
- Limited communication between supervisors and temporary workers.
- Failure to communicate changes in job assignments or work scope.
Safety Checklist
Before Work Begins
- Clearly define safety responsibilities between the staffing agency and host employer.
- Provide a complete site orientation and job-specific safety training before work starts.
- Review task hazards, emergency procedures, and reporting requirements.
- Verify workers are trained, qualified, and authorized for assigned duties.
- Explain PPE requirements, including who provides and maintains the equipment.
- Identify the worker's supervisor and explain how to report safety concerns.
During the Assignment
- Maintain communication between the staffing agency, host employer, supervisors, and temporary workers.
- Provide additional training whenever work assignments or hazards change.
- Monitor work practices and provide coaching when needed.
- Encourage temporary workers to report hazards, injuries, and near misses immediately.
- Investigate incidents according to company procedures and share relevant findings with appropriate parties.
- Review worker performance and address any safety concerns promptly.
Crew Talking Points
- Who is responsible for supervising temporary workers on this project?
- How should temporary workers report hazards or injuries?
- What training is required before beginning assigned tasks?
- Who should workers contact if their job assignment changes?
- How can communication between the staffing agency and host employer improve safety?
- Speak up immediately if you have not received the training, equipment, or information needed to perform your work safely.
Stop Work If
- You have not received the required orientation or task-specific training.
- You are assigned work beyond your training or authorization.
- You do not understand the hazards or safe work procedures.
- Required PPE or safety equipment is unavailable.
- Communication failures create an immediate safety risk.
- You are unsure how to safely perform the assigned work.
Final Reminder
Safety coordination between staffing agencies and host employers is essential for protecting temporary workers. Clear communication, defined responsibilities, proper training, effective supervision, and prompt hazard reporting help ensure every temporary worker has the knowledge, resources, and support needed to work safely from the first day of the assignment.
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