Build a Safety-first Onboarding Program for Temp Workers
Temporary workers are the backbone of many warehouse and light industrial operations, especially during peak seasons or periods of rapid growth. But when it comes to safety, they’re often the most at risk—and the least prepared.
At Timpl, we’ve spent over 20 years helping manufacturers and warehouse leaders build high-performing, safety-focused teams. One thing we’ve learned: without a structured onboarding program tailored to the realities of temp work, even the most promising new hire can quickly become a safety liability.
For Employers, this isn’t just a compliance issue—it’s a human risk, a productivity challenge, and a financial burden. So how do you build a safety onboarding program for temp workers that protects people and performance from day one?
Let’s walk through the steps.
Why Safety Onboarding for Temp Workers Matters
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported over 2.6 million nonfatal workplace injuries and illnesses in private industry in 2022=3. A large share of those incidents involved temporary workers—especially in warehousing and manufacturing roles.
Studies show that temp workers are up to twice as likely to be injured on the job compared to permanent employees. Source: American Journal of Industrial Medicine
Why?
They often start with minimal orientation
They may not be familiar with site-specific hazards
Supervisors might not know their full skill level
Communication between host employers and staffing agencies may be incomplete
In an industry that relies on agility and high throughput, the cost of overlooking onboarding is far greater than the time it takes to do it right.
Step 1: Align With Your Staffing Partner on Safety Roles
Before a temp worker even sets foot on your site, your staffing agency should be aligned with your safety goals and responsibilities.
According to OSHA’s Temporary Worker Initiative, both the staffing agency and host employer share responsibility for providing a safe work environment. That means roles should be clearly defined and documented.
Best practices include:
Sharing job hazard analyses before placements begin
Clarifying who delivers general vs. site-specific training
Aligning on PPE standards, incident reporting protocols, and documentation
Creating joint accountability for follow-ups, audits, and corrective action
At Timpl, we collaborate with our clients to make these agreements seamless and proactive—ensuring safety isn’t an afterthought.
Step 2: Deliver a Thorough, Site-Specific Safety Orientation
Many injuries occur because temp workers are unfamiliar with the specific environment they’re working in. That’s why a site-specific safety orientation is essential—not optional.
A 2021 GAO report found that many temp workers receive little or no safety training. If you're looking to reduce risk, this is the first place to start.
Your safety orientation should cover:
Emergency procedures (evacuation routes, alarms, first aid stations)
PPE usage and rules
Equipment safety (conveyors, forklifts, LOTO, etc.)
Hazard communication (chemical safety, labels, SDS)
Reporting processes for hazards, injuries, and near-misses
And if your workforce includes multilingual employees, offer bilingual materials and interpreters whenever possible.
Step 3: Assign a Safety Mentor for Temporary Workers
Orientation alone isn’t enough—real understanding happens on the floor. That’s where a safety mentor or buddy system comes in.
Pairing new temp workers with a trained peer or lead for the first few shifts helps:
Reinforce safe habits in real time
Answer site-specific questions
Identify early signs of confusion or unsafe behavior
Create a welcoming, team-centered environment
Mentorship accelerates both learning and engagement—especially for workers who may feel nervous or overlooked as “just temps.”
Step 4: Train Supervisors to Lead Temp Workers Safely
Even the best policies can fail if supervisors aren’t equipped to manage temp workers effectively.
Supervisors need to understand that temp workers might not have the same baseline knowledge—and they need more support early on. Without proper guidance, these workers may feel pressured to “wing it,” which increases the risk of injury.
Train your supervisors to:
Set clear expectations on day one
Observe and correct behavior without blame
Encourage questions and feedback
Identify when a temp worker may need retraining or reassignment
Supervisors are the front line of your safety culture. Empower them to lead with empathy and structure.
Step 5: Customize Safety Training for Warehouse Temps by Role
Not all temp workers face the same risks. Someone operating a pallet jack will need different training than someone packing boxes on a conveyor line.
Effective onboarding includes task-specific safety modules tailored to:
Forklift operations and pedestrian zones
Repetitive motion and ergonomics for pickers/packers
Cleaning chemicals and slip hazards for janitorial staff
Machine guarding for equipment operators
Build in checklists, practical demonstrations, and short quizzes to verify understanding. For recurring roles, develop reusable training content in video or mobile-friendly formats.
Step 6: Foster Open Communication with Temp Workers
Temporary workers are less likely to speak up when they see a safety issue—especially if they’re unsure of their standing or worried about losing the assignment.
You can change that by building psychological safety into your onboarding culture:
Encourage questions without judgment
Let temps know who to report to
Offer multiple reporting channels (verbal, written, anonymous)
Include temps in all safety huddles and walkthroughs
Workers who feel heard are more likely to report hazards, follow protocols, and remain engaged.
Step 7: Track Safety Onboarding Metrics—And Adjust Accordingly
Safety isn’t set-it-and-forget-it. A strong onboarding program should be backed by data.
Track metrics such as:
Injury rates by worker type (temp vs. permanent)
Completion rates of safety training
Near-miss reports in the first 30 days of work
Supervisor feedback on new worker readiness
Temp worker feedback on their onboarding experience
If you notice repeat patterns—like higher incidents on night shifts or in certain departments—adjust your training, supervision, or job placement strategy accordingly.
Conclusion: Safety Onboarding for Temp Workers Is an Investment—Not a Cost
Too often, safety onboarding for temp workers is treated like an afterthought. But the real cost comes from injuries, lost productivity, regulatory fines, and worker turnover.
At Timpl, we’ve seen the difference a safety-first onboarding program can make. When temp workers are prepared, respected, and supported from day one, they perform better, stay longer, and help your operation run more smoothly.
Because safety isn’t just about policies—it’s about people.
If you're ready to improve your safety outcomes and reduce risk across your temporary workforce, reach out to Timpl today. As a staffing agency committed to putting people and safety first, we not only help you design onboarding programs—we also provide the trained, reliable workers you need to keep your operations running safely and efficiently.
Additional Resources
Light Industrial Staffing Guide – Get insights on hiring, training, and managing temp talent effectively
Start-Up Warehouse Safety Blog – Explore how to build a strong safety foundation from day one
