Agency/temporary workers

Businesses and self-employed people using temporary workers must provide the same level of health and safety protection for them as they do for employees.

Providers of temporary workers and employers using them need to co-operate and communicate clearly with each other to ensure risks to those workers are managed effectively.

You need to agree who does what. Don’t assume the ‘other side’ will take responsibility:

• make sure, before temporary workers start, that they are covered by risk assessments, and they know what measures have been taken to protect them
• make sure they understand the information and instructions they need to work safely, and have had any necessary training
• consider the language needs of temporary workers who do not speak English well or at all (see our advice on migrant workers)
• check, before they start, that they have any occupational qualifications or skills needed for the job
• agree on arrangements for providing/maintaining any personal protective equipment, display screen equipment eyesight tests, and any necessary health surveillance
• agree on arrangements for reporting relevant accidents to the enforcing authority (usually HSE or the local authority)

Under the Conduct of Employment Agencies and Employment Businesses Regulations 2003, agencies and businesses that use workers supplied by them must exchange the information they both need to ensure the safety of workers.