NYCOSH Programs

Temporary workers often lack previous experience and full training, so their risk of workplace injury can be greater than that of permanent workers. In addition, some of the most dangerous jobs in the nation employ temporary workers, such as construction, waste, and recycling. Often, temporary workers don’t know who is responsible for their safety or how to report dangerous conditions, and they might be concerned that requesting proper training will lead to them being replaced. All these factors have led to temporary workers being some of the most high risk workers in the nation.

Both documented and undocumented workers are entitled to a safe workplace under U.S. health and safety laws. Workers are entitled to:

• A workplace that is safe and free of recognized hazards
• Talk to your supervisor about unsafe or unhealthy working conditions
• File a complaint with OSHA about unsafe or unhealthy conditions
• Refuse to do a job task that you reasonably think might put you in immediate danger
• Know about the hazards in your workplace
• Not to be discriminated against for reporting safety hazards
• Access to records of medical tests and tests that monitor your work environment for hazardous materials
• Access to information about injuries and illnesses that happen in your workplace

NYCOSH works in collaboration with community organizations, workers’ centers, unions, government agencies, and advocacy groups to increase workplace safety for immigrant workers through training, education and advocacy. NYCOSH offers a number of trainings, including, but not limited to:

• Know Your Rights
• OSHA Rights
• Respirator Awareness and Fit Testing
• Domestic workers rights

• Check out National COSH’s website on temp workers’ rights online here: http://www.coshnetwork.org/node/356