Perception of health and safety in surface mining operations in Sudbury, Ontario : a study of temporary staffing agency empolyees

Abstract

This thesis explores the health, safety and training of temporary staffing agency employees working in surface mining operations, specific to Sudbury, Ontario. The study involves a qualitative approach that utilized one on one interviews, where participants were achieved through snowball sampling. Thematic analysis was employed through the careful review of the interview transcriptions in order to find common responses among the respondents. The commonalities of responses have identified numerous areas of concern that could be shared among other temporary staffing agency workers in surface mining. Themes identified include: precariousness, issues with training, workplace responsibility, individual and co-worker safety, unionization, and participation in health and safety. Participants have expressed problematic experiences within these themes that should be considered for further research and as areas for possible improvement by temporary staffing agencies.