Temporary Workers and Safety Training Gaps – A Critical Workplace Safety Concern

Temporary workers and safety training gaps pose a significant threat to workplace safety across various industries.

At the beginning of every shift, these workers face hazards without the same level of preparation as their permanent colleagues.

From manufacturing to healthcare, the risks of insufficient training are real, measurable, and preventable.

Temporary workers and safety training gaps

Why Temporary Workers Are at Higher Risk

Temporary workers often jump into active worksites with minimal orientation. Unlike full-time employees, they may not receive thorough onboarding or task-specific safety instructions. This gap in preparation creates vulnerability, not just for the temp but for the entire work crew.

According to the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), temporary workers are often involved in higher rates of injury within their initial days on the job.

The Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS) emphasizes that employers must not assume temporary workers understand site-specific hazards, even if they’ve performed similar tasks elsewhere.

Key Factors Behind Safety Training Gaps

1. Rushed Onboarding

Temporary workers are typically hired to meet immediate demands. In this haste, safety orientations are either shortened or skipped entirely.

2. Misunderstanding of Responsibility

Many employers assume the staffing agency is solely responsible for safety training. However, shared responsibility is the legal and ethical standard. Employers must provide job-specific safety training, while agencies ensure general awareness.

3. Lack of Hazard Familiarity

Temporary workers are often unfamiliar with site-specific hazards, such as confined spaces, heavy machinery, chemical exposure, or emergency procedures. Without practical, hands-on instruction, they remain vulnerable.

4. Language and Communication Barriers

Many temporary workers speak English as a second language. Without multilingual training materials or visual aids, key safety messages may not be understood.

The Real-World Impact of Safety Training Gaps

Consider this example: a temporary worker on a construction site was tasked with clearing debris near an open excavation.

Lacking knowledge of the site’s fall protection policies, he stepped too close to the edge and suffered a serious fall injury. This was preventable—with proper training.

Statistics support such incidents. A WorkSafeBC report noted that temp workers are disproportionately represented in early job-related injuries, with many occurring within the first month of employment.

Closing the Gaps – What Employers Must Do

Prioritize Tailored Onboarding

No matter how short the contract, temporary workers deserve a proper onboarding process that includes:

• Hazard identification and control measures
• PPE selection and usage
• Emergency response procedures
• Rights and responsibilities under occupational health and safety laws

Use Clear Communication Tools

Incorporate visual signage, infographics, and translated materials. For high-risk tasks, use on-the-spot demonstrations rather than relying solely on documents.

Assign Mentors or Safety Buddies

Pairing a new temp with an experienced, safety-conscious team member can significantly reduce risk and improve knowledge transfer.

Conduct Site-Specific Safety Orientations

Every new worker—regardless of employment status—must understand the unique risks of the worksite. Briefings should be mandatory and documented.

Role of Staffing Agencies in Ensuring Safety

Staffing agencies aren’t off the hook. They must:

• Vet client employers for safety standards
• Provide general safety awareness training
• Maintain documentation of safety certifications
• Check in regularly with placed workers

A collaborative safety model, where both the employer and agency play active roles, reduces injury risks and liability for all parties.

The Legal and Moral Case for Equal Safety

Under Canadian OHSA regulations and similar laws in other provinces, employers must ensure every worker, regardless of status, receives proper training and supervision. Failure to do so can lead to:

• Hefty fines and legal action
• Increased Workers’ Compensation Board (WCB) claims
• Reputational damage

More importantly, safety lapses result in human costs—injuries, trauma, or even fatalities.

Technology to Bridge the Training Gap

Today’s tools can help standardize and streamline safety training for temporary workers:

• E-learning modules with tracking features
• Mobile apps for hazard reporting and toolbox talks
• VR-based safety simulations for high-risk industries

Companies like SafetyCulture and SiteDocs provide platforms that make onboarding more effective and measurable.

Treat Temporary Workers as Permanently Valuable

Temporary workers and safety training gaps must not be ignored. Safety is not seasonal, and injury doesn’t care about job titles.

Employers and staffing agencies must work together to create inclusive, effective training programs that protect all workers—temporary or permanent.

By identifying the risks and implementing structured onboarding, tailored instruction, and ongoing supervision, workplaces can eliminate the silent threat posed by these training gaps. Remember, safety isn’t just compliance—it’s commitment.