The northern Illinois region has one of the highest concentrations of temporary workers in the United States. Many temp workers, though, are not provided with the same safety training that is offered to permanent employees. As a result, host employers and staffing agencies can be found in violation of federal safety standards by the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

Kane County has experienced one of the highest surges in the need for temporary workers in the country, according to a news release from Waubonsee Community College. Locally, there have been injuries and one fatality of temporary workers in recent years.

To help businesses comply with federal regulations, WCC has developed a four-hour course in Basic Safety Training for Temporary Workers and a three-hour Training for Host Employers and Staffing Agencies.

On March 16, the Workforce Development Division at Waubonsee Community College is presenting a free safety seminar for staffing agencies that place temporary workers in light industrial jobs. The three-hour seminar will start at 8:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m. at the Academic and Professional Center on the college’s Sugar Grove campus.

Waubonsee was awarded a grant from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to provide free safety training for temp workers, host employers, and staffing agencies. The training is provided by safety experts certified by OSHA.

For more information, contact the Workforce Development division at 630-906-4152 or visit this page on the WCC website.

SOURCE: Waubonsee Community College news release and website