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

# Court Rules Temporary Staffing Agencies Are Employers Under Safety Laws **What Happened** Oregon OSHA (the state safety agency) cited two temporary staffing companies—Laborworks Industrial Staffing Specialists and Tradesmen International—for workplace safety violations. The companies argued they shouldn't be held responsible because they don't directly control the worksites where their temporary workers are assigned. An initial judge agreed and threw out the citations. **What the Court Decided** A higher court reversed that decision. The court ruled that temporary staffing agencies qualify as employers under Oregon law, even when they don't control the actual worksites. This means these companies can be held accountable for safety violations affecting their workers. **Why This Matters for Workers** This decision expands worker protections. Temporary workers now have clearer legal ground to hold staffing agencies responsible for unsafe conditions, even if the agencies claim they have limited control. It means temporary workers aren't left in a gray area with no one accountable for their safety—the staffing company that hired them shares responsibility for protecting them from hazards.