Presented for the first time at the Expoprotection trade fair (5-7 November 2024, Paris Expo Porte de Versailles), the report proposes concrete solutions co-constructed with stakeholders in the field, based on an analysis of the determinants of the accident rate for temporary workers in the construction industry. This highlighted the crucial importance of involving user companies and employment agencies in the implementation of appropriate preventive measures.
The safety of temporary workers, a major issue
Construction is the leading sector to use temporary workers, with 17,4% of temporary workers in all sectors in the 2nd quarter of 2024. Although safety continues to improve in the construction industry, temporary workers working in the construction industry are victims of 4,3 times more serious accidents and 7,1 times more fatal accidents than other employees, in all sectors. In addition, compared to permanent employees in the construction industry, temporary workers suffer 1,3 times more serious accidents and 1,9 times more fatal accidents. While this excess accident rate should be put into perspective given the type of job performed by temporary workers, who most often occupy positions requiring fewer qualifications, it is nevertheless imperative to pay particular attention to the health and safety of temporary workers and to act in a concerted and effective manner to reverse this trend.
An exploratory study to carry out a complete diagnosis of the interim act
In this context, the OPPBTP and Anact have launched an action study to improve the working conditions of temporary workers by researching and implementing appropriate solutions. In order to draw up a precise and complete inventory, it is based on documentary research and an analysis of existing numerical data, as well as on interviews and field observations. These initial phases have made it possible to establish a diagnosis of the determinants of the deterioration of the working and health conditions of temporary workers in the construction industry. Three priority areas of work have thus been identified:
- The relationship between the user company and the employment agency, and in particular the profile/demand match. This involves ensuring that the technical skills held by the temporary employee are those expected by the user company.
- Employment and working conditions, which reveal increased physical demands on temporary workers.
- The reception and integration of the temporary employee, which constitutes an essential phase in the latter's mission.
Possible solutions currently being tested
With the help of a local operational committee composed of members of user companies, temporary work stakeholders and a prevention advisor from the OPPBTP, operational solution options were developed with field stakeholders. Some were then further developed by working groups and most are currently being tested in the partner companies of the action study.
The eleven courses of action selected are:
- Control business/employment agency relations through framework agreements with a limited number of employment agencies;
- Create a common skills framework and associated vocabulary;
- Train and raise awareness among recruiters from employment agencies about the world of construction;
- Act jointly following analyses of work accidents;
- Create a mobile application facilitating temporary work;
- Formalize the “Who does what” in the integration of temporary employees;
- Ensure that the operating procedures have been presented to temporary employees;
- Strengthen the “safety leadership” of supervisors;
- Prevent language barrier problems;
- Establish a training partnership for high-demand professions between user companies and employment agencies;
- Act on knowledge of fundamental risks.
These actions can already be tested by any company wishing to take action on the health and working conditions of its temporary employees.
For Paul Duphil, Secretary General of the OPPBTP: "Temporary workers are important contributors to construction sites who nevertheless remain more sensitive to risks. The profession has been committed for several years to implementing prevention actions specifically intended for them. This action study represents an important new step, making it possible to generalize tested solutions to all branches of the construction industry, in order to build a real prevention culture that offers all workers the same optimal working conditions."