Staffing association launches new Web page dedicated to temporary worker safety

The American Staffing Association has launched a new Web page dedicated to temporary worker safety entitled "Safety Matters: Keeping Temporary Workers Safe on the Job." It includes various safety resources and links to OSHA publications, and prominently features two videos – one with the remarks by Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Dr. David Michaels, and a second one featuring several ASA board members addressing the importance of temporary worker safety.

This ASA web page complements OSHA's own page, "Protecting Temporary Workers," which consolidates the agency's safety and health resources for temporary workers including "Recommended Practices: Protecting Temporary Workers."

OSHA gears up for annual Fall Safety Stand-Down in Construction

Building on its unprecedented participation from last year's event, OSHA has announced this year's Fall Safety Stand-Down to prevent falls in construction, scheduled for May 4-15, 2015. Last year, tens of thousands of employers and more than 1 million workers across the country joined OSHA in a week-long construction Fall Safety Stand-Down, the largest occupational safety event ever hosted in the United States.

"With the economy on the rebound and housing starts on the rise, now is the time to for all of us to renew our commitment to sending workers home safe every night," said Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "Last year's Stand-Down showed us what employers and workers sharing that commitment can accomplish. Responsible employers understand that safety is not a luxury – it is a necessity."

During the 2015 two-week stand-down, employers and workers will pause during their workday to focus on preventing fatalities from falls through talks, demonstrations and trainings.

The National Fall Safety Stand-Down is part of OSHA's construction fall prevention campaign, launched three years ago with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda and CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training. The newly launched 2015 National Safety Stand-Down Web page provides details on how to conduct a stand-down; receive a certificate of participation; and access free education and training resources, fact sheets and other outreach materials in English and Spanish. See the news release for more information.

Winter Storm Hazards: Web page offers guidance for employers and workers

As the temperatures drop and winter storms head in, employers can take measure to keep workers safe. OSHA's Winter Weather Web page provides information on protecting workers from hazards they may face while working outside during the winter, particularly in severe cold weather.

The Web page provides guidance on how to recognize snow storm-related hazards and the necessary steps that employers must take to keep workers safe while working in these conditions. This guidance includes how to protect workers from hazards associated with clearing heavy snow in front of workplaces and from rooftops.

New outreach materials focus on Tree Care Workers; Temporary Workers

OSHA has released two new bilingual –English and Spanish—on-the-job quick references for employers and employees. Tree Care Work: Know the Hazards (PDF*) addresses the most common tree care work hazards and ways in which employers can prevent them.

The Temporary Worker (PDF*) pocket-sized pamphlet reminds individuals working through a staffing agency that they have the same rights as any other worker. The pamphlet is part of OSHA's Temporary Worker Initiative, which focuses on compliance with safety and health requirements when temporary workers are employed under the joint employment of a staffing agency and a host employer.

These bilingual resources are easy-to-read, durable in design and ideal for health and safety trainings, consultations, and inspections. To order quantities of these or any other OSHA materials, visit OSHA's Publications Web page or call the Publications Office at (202) 693-1888.