15. Temporary Workers in Laboratories:
OSHA Requirements and Best Practices

A distance learning opportunity – FREE for ABSA Members
July 21, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 PM (CDT)

Registration for the live webinar must be completed 1 business day prior to the start of the training.
Registrations received after will receive access to the recording only.

Instructors:

Joanna Mitchell, CIH, Industrial Hygienist, Office of Health Enforcement, US Department of Labor, OSHA, Washington, DC
Jeffrey Wanko, PE, CSP, Director, Office of Chemical Process Safety and Enforcement Initiatives, Department of Labor, OSHA, Washington, DC

Overview

Did you know that temporary workers can be found in many academic, healthcare, and industry workplaces that have laboratories? Do you have temporary workers from a staffing agency working in your institution’s laboratories alongside employees? Do you know what the legal definition of a temporary worker is, and how this impacts health and safety in your workplace when a temporary worker works in your institution’s laboratories? Have you ever wondered who is responsible for the health and safety of a temporary worker who works in your laboratories? These are just some of the questions that will be reviewed and answered during this one-hour webinar. This webinar is for anyone who is involved in EHS/Biosafety Programs at institutions that hire temporary workers who work alongside employees in the laboratory setting. This webinar will be led by representatives from the US Department of Labor – Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Temporary Worker Initiative. They will provide an overview of the temporary worker health and safety requirements as well as share best practices and resources that are available to assist you. There will be time for questions at the end of the presentation.

Objectives

• Identify what constitutes a “temporary worker”
• Determine what health and safety requirements must be fulfilled by the temporary worker’s employer and the institution where the temporary worker is assigned to work in a laboratory
• Summarize the resources available from OSHA to support a safe and healthy workplace for temporary workers

Audience Level: All levels

Suggested Background: None

Who Should Attend: Biosafety professionals in government, industry, academic and other institutions/organizations where temporary workers are used to augment employees in a laboratory setting

This course has been approved for 0.125 CM points toward RBP/CBSP recertification. *ABSA International is approved as a provider of continuing education programs in clinical laboratory sciences by the ASCLS P.A.C.E.^® Program. This course is approved for 1.5 P.A.C.E.^® contact hours. Course access links are unique and for individual use only. Sharing is prohibited. Duplicate logins or unregistered attendees will be removed from the webinar without a refund.