OR-OSHA v. Laborworks Ind. / Tradesman Int.

# Court Rules Temporary Staffing Agencies Are Responsible for Worker Safety ## What Happened Oregon OSHA cited two temporary staffing companies—Laborworks Industrial Staffing Specialists and Tradesmen International—for safety violations. The companies argued they weren't technically employers because they didn't directly control the work sites where their workers were stationed. An initial hearing officer agreed with the companies and canceled the citations. ## What the Court Decided Oregon's Court of Appeals reversed that decision. The court ruled that temporary staffing agencies are indeed employers under state safety laws, even when they don't directly manage work sites. The key factor: because these companies provided workers' compensation insurance and classified workers as employees, they bear responsibility for workplace safety. ## Why This Matters for Workers This ruling strengthens protections for temporary and contract workers. It means staffing agencies can't escape safety obligations by claiming they lack direct control over jobs. Temporary workers now have clearer legal standing to report unsafe conditions and expect their staffing company to address hazards—not just pass responsibility to the client company.