One of the most important factors for California worker safety is proper training in safety procedures. This is true whether it is a job in which there are inherent risks or it is one in which the chance of a work accident with injuries and fatalities is relatively low. For many workers, however, injuries happen not just because of dangers in the workplace, but because workers were not adequately trained for safety. When there is a workplace accident and injuries, knowing the steps to take for a full investigation and getting workers’ compensation benefits is imperative.
According to statistics, temporary workers are at greater risk of injury than permanent workers. This is due to the absence of experience and training for proper safety. It happens despite the legal requirement in the state and under federal law that employers train temporary workers the same way they do permanent workers. One staffing agency, for example, was cited by the Division of Occupational Safety and Health for willful violations after an accident in which a 19-year-old temporary employee lost two of his fingers working at a food company. A similar incident had occurred previously. The company was accused of not providing sufficient safety training.
The company and others associated with it had received 11 safety violations. Five happened after the death of a worker and injuries to four others. The company has more than 600 clients and touts its attempts at finding work for homeless California residents. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says that there were 349 temporary workers who died on the job between 2003 and 2017. Other statistics say that temporary workers do not get the training they need and have a greater propensity to seek workers’ compensation benefits after injuries than workers who are permanent.
For people who are having trouble finding long-term work or are struggling personally and financially, a temp job might seem like a great opportunity. In many instances, it is. That said, many of these staffing companies are not vigilant about safety training and people are injured on the job because of it. Workers’ compensation benefits can be crucial for those who were working as a temp and became injured. Medical costs, the inability to work and other problems will come up. For temps who have suffered workplace injuries for any reason, it is important to get the right information about workers’ compensation benefits.