Occupational Safety and Health in the Temporary Services Industry: A Model for a Community-University Partnership

Area of Science:

• Occupational Health
• Industrial Hygiene
• Workplace Safety

Background:

• Temporary staffing industry workers experience hazardous conditions.
• High risk of occupational injuries among temporary workers.
• Need for targeted hazard identification and awareness programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To establish a corps of Occupational Health Promoters (OHPs).
• To pilot a survey tool for identifying workplace hazards.
• To improve awareness of occupational safety and health for temporary workers.

Main Methods:

• Collaboration between workers' centers and university investigators.
• Training OHPs to interview temporary workers and identify hazards.
• Utilizing surveys across shipping, packing, manufacturing, and warehousing sectors.

Main Results:

• Ninety-eight workers from 33 agencies and 49 client companies were interviewed.
• Identified significant workplace hazards.
• Reported two companies to OSHA, resulting in citations.

Conclusions:

• OHPs enhanced understanding of safety challenges for temporary workers.
• The project facilitated training, peer education, and coalition building.
• Continued engagement in improving occupational safety and health for this vulnerable workforce.