Construction Site Checklist for Temporary Laborers

Before temporary laborers set foot on a construction site, the general contractor or subcontractor using them should have four things ready: the order details in writing, proof of any training the jurisdiction requires, the PPE and fall protection plan for each task, and a supervisor who will run a site orientation on day one. Most problems with temp crews on construction jobs trace back to one of those four being skipped or assumed.

The checklist below is built for site superintendents, project managers and trade contractors who bring in helpers, demo crews or general laborers for a few days or a few months. It covers the US and Canada, with notes where the rules differ.

Before you place the order

A vague order produces the wrong crew. Write down the job before you ask for people.

• The actual tasks. "General labor" on a construction site can mean carrying drywall, cleaning up after trades, digging, running a jackhammer or working off a scissor lift. Each one needs different experience and different training.
• Heights and equipment. Say whether anyone will work above 6 feet, on ladders, on scaffolds or near open edges, and list any powered tools or equipment they will run.
• Exposure hazards. Concrete cutting, grinding, demolition dust, lead paint in older buildings, noise, confined spaces, excavations.
• Start time, site address and gate instructions. Construction sites move. Give the exact entrance, parking, and who meets the crew.
• Duration and shift pattern. A two-day cleanup and a twelve-week framing support job are staffed differently.
• Trade restrictions. Some work has to be done by licensed trades or union members. Confirm that the tasks you are assigning to laborers are tasks laborers are allowed to do on that project.

Training and paperwork to confirm

Training requirements vary more by location on construction sites than in any other setting temp workers go to. Confirm these before the first shift, not at the gate.

United States. OSHA's construction standards in 29 CFR 1926 apply to every worker on site, temp or not. Under 1926.21(b)(2), the employer must instruct each worker in recognizing and avoiding the unsafe conditions on that job. OSHA treats the staffing agency and the host contractor as joint employers, so both carry part of that duty. OSHA 10 is not a federal requirement, but some states and cities require it or something similar. New York City, for example, requires Site Safety Training (SST) cards for workers on many construction sites under Local Law 196. In Washington State, construction employers fall under WAC 296-155, which requires an accident prevention program and regular crew safety meetings.

Ontario. Workers on construction projects who may use fall protection need working at heights training from a CPO-approved provider under O. Reg. 297/13, and that training has to be current. Ask for the proof of completion, not a verbal yes.

Quebec. Construction sites covered by the R-20 Act are regulated by the Commission de la construction du Québec, and workers generally need the general health and safety course for construction sites plus the right CCQ competency certificate. Many tasks on these sites cannot be filled with general temp labor at all, so check the rules for your project type before ordering.

Everywhere. Ask the agency to confirm, in writing, who holds which certifications, and keep a copy in the site file.

PPE and fall protection

Spell out what each worker needs and who supplies it. If the contract is silent, the crew may show up with steel toes and nothing else.

• Hard hat (required wherever there is a danger of head injury, under 29 CFR 1926.100 in the US)
• Safety boots, high-visibility vest, safety glasses, gloves suited to the task
• Hearing protection for saw, breaker and demolition work
• Respirators where silica or other dust exposure applies, with fit testing done before use. OSHA's construction silica standard is 29 CFR 1926.1153.
• Fall protection for any work at 6 feet or more in US construction (29 CFR 1926.501), and training on that equipment under 1926.503 before anyone uses it
• Cold weather gear for outdoor winter work: insulated layers, liner gloves, traction aids for icy decks

A written split of PPE items between your company and the agency avoids the most common first-morning delay.

Day one on site

The first hour decides how the rest of the assignment goes.

• Sign-in and identification. Log the crew at the gate the same way you log your own workers.
• Site orientation. Walk the crew through the site: active work zones, crane and equipment swing areas, excavations, overhead work, first aid kit, eyewash, emergency muster point.
• Task-specific instruction. Show each laborer the actual task, the tools, and what they are not allowed to touch. Do not assume prior experience equals familiarity with your site.
• Toolbox talk. Include the temps in the daily or weekly safety meeting. Washington State, for one, requires these meetings on construction sites.
• Named supervisor. Every temp should know who to report to, who to ask when unsure, and who to tell about a hazard or an injury.
• Language. Training has to be delivered in a language the worker understands. If part of the crew is more comfortable in French or Spanish, plan for it.

During the assignment

• Do not reassign without checking. Moving a cleanup laborer onto a roof or into a trench changes the training and PPE required. Tell the agency about any change in tasks.
• Excavations. Trenches 5 feet deep or more need a protective system under 29 CFR 1926.652, unless they are in stable rock. Laborers often end up in trenches as helpers; make sure the competent person has inspected it.
• Housekeeping. Cleanup crews deal with nails, rebar, debris piles and cords. Set rules for debris chutes, bins and walkways.
• Injury reporting. Decide in advance who records injuries. In the US, the employer that supervises the worker day to day records the case on the OSHA 300 log under 29 CFR 1904.31. In Canada, the agency is usually the employer of record for the workers' compensation claim, while the constructor or host still has its own provincial duty to report serious incidents. Put the procedure in the order.
• Timesheets. Approve hours daily or weekly. Disputes over hours are easier to settle within days than at month end.

Winter adjustments

From November to March, outdoor construction work adds risks that need their own line items:

• Shorter daylight: confirm temporary lighting covers the areas where the crew works.
• Snow and ice on decks, ramps and scaffold planks: assign clearing and salting before work starts.
• Cold stress: plan warm-up breaks and a heated space, and watch new workers who are not used to outdoor winter work.
• Heaters and enclosures: propane and fuel-fired heaters in tented areas need ventilation and carbon monoxide monitoring.

When the job ends

• Collect site-issued PPE, badges and keys.
• Confirm final hours with the agency.
• Note which workers you would request again. A good laborer on a construction site is worth asking for by name on the next project.
• Record any incident or near miss in the site file, even if no claim followed.

Frequently asked questions

Do temporary construction laborers need OSHA 10?

Not under federal OSHA rules, which require training on the hazards of the job but do not name OSHA 10. Some states, cities and project owners do require it or an equivalent, and New York City requires SST cards on many sites. Check the rules for the project location and the contract before the first shift.

Who is responsible for safety training for temp workers on a construction site?

Both the staffing agency and the contractor using the workers. The agency usually covers general safety training, and the host contractor covers site-specific hazards, equipment and procedures. Put the split in writing so nothing falls between the two.

Can a temp laborer work at heights on a construction site?

Yes, if they have been trained on the fall protection system they will use and the site provides that equipment. In Ontario, the worker also needs current working at heights training from an approved provider. Tell the agency about any work at heights when you place the order.

What should a construction staffing order include?

The tasks, site address and gate instructions, start time, expected duration, any work at heights or equipment use, exposure hazards, required certifications, PPE split, and the name of the site supervisor. The more specific the order, the better the match.

Need laborers for your next project?

Mainforce places construction helpers, demo crews and general laborers in metros across Canada and the US, including Seattle and Toronto. Send the tasks, the site and the safety requirements through the request form, and a staffing specialist follows up in writing with a proposal.