Steve Grimaud, Vice President of Risk Management, opened the session by sharing how Partners Personnel has grown from a handful of branches in 2017 to over 100 locations nationwide, nearing $1 billion in annual billing. With such rapid growth comes a heightened commitment to maintaining safe workplaces across diverse industries.

“Safety isn’t just about numbers—it’s about making sure everyone goes home at the end of the day in the same condition they arrived,” Steve emphasized.

Drawing on over a decade of risk management experience, Steve described the most frequent hazards our teams encounter:

• Slips and Falls: Consistently the leading cause of workplace injuries nationwide, including falls from one level to another or on the same level.
• Lacerations: Often requiring more than first aid and leading to costly claims.
• Falling Objects and Forklift Incidents: Preventable but potentially severe, highlighting the importance of proper training and equipment usage.

Even seasoned workers can become complacent, underlining the need for continuous safety vigilance.

Beyond compliance, the webinar focused on fostering a proactive safety culture where employees feel empowered to speak up. Brad Pierce, VP of Marketing, asked an essential question:

“When someone reports a hazard, is that seen as a positive or negative?”

The panel agreed that reporting hazards is always positive and critical for prevention. Near misses, if reported and addressed, can prevent future injuries.

Ron Swope, National Director of Safety, and Aaron Corbin, Regional Safety Director, discussed the “dual responsibility” between staffing agencies and host employers—a crucial pillar of the OSHA Temporary Workers Initiative.

“Our employees, whether temporary or permanent, deserve the same training and protection,” Ron explained.

Key dual-responsibility practices include:

• Pre-Assignment Assessments: Site visits to identify hazards and understand job-specific requirements.
• General and Job-Specific Safety Training: All associates must complete safety training and testing before placement.
• Injury Reporting: Incidents must be reported both to the host employer and to Partners Personnel, ensuring prompt response and thorough investigation.
• Ongoing Communication and Documentation: Records of training, safety meetings, and corrective actions are meticulously maintained.

Aaron highlighted a significant risk period: the first 90 days of employment. Studies show a disproportionately high number of injuries occur during this time due to unfamiliarity, inadequate training, or gaps in supervision.

“Depending on the study, anywhere from 36% to 72% of injuries happen in those first 90 days. Proper orientation and refresher training can significantly reduce those incidents,” Aaron said.

A standout initiative discussed during the webinar is Partners Personnel’s S.A.F.E. Program—Safe Associate Field Engagement. Before clocking out each day, associates answer two simple but powerful questions:

• Was your workplace safe from hazards today?
• Was your workday injury-free?

These daily check-ins encourage immediate reporting and help identify trends, enabling prompt corrective action.

Across the entire webinar, one message echoed loudly:

Communication is everything.

Whether it’s reporting hazards, providing thorough orientation, or performing regular safety audits, clear communication between staffing partners and host employers keeps employees safe and businesses compliant.

“Our number one company value is Safety Always,” Steve concluded. “Not just in June, but every month of the year.”

Partners Personnel is here to help with assessments, training, and dedicated safety professionals ready to partner with your business.

Let’s work together to ensure that everyone goes home safe, every day.