09 Apr Why Housekeeping Tours and Machine Guarding Evaluations are Critical in Staffing Partnerships

Adapted from internal safety materials. Written by Kevin Kilcoyne, Barrow Group, LLC

In today’s industrial workplaces, safety isn’t just a box to check—it’s a foundation for success. Whether you’re staffing a high-volume warehouse or a manufacturing plant, ensuring a clean and secure environment directly impacts worker performance, injury rates, and your long-term partnerships.

Two of the most overlooked—yet most powerful—tools in the staffing industry’s safety toolbox are periodic housekeeping evaluations and machine guarding awareness. Here’s why they matter and how your staffing firm can use them to create real value for your clients and associates.

Housekeeping Tours: More Than a Walkthrough

When staffing agencies conduct regular on-site evaluations, they’re doing more than looking for clutter—they’re building stronger, safer partnerships.

Key Benefits:
• Stronger Client Relationships: These visits create opportunities to check in with client contacts and temporary associates, opening the door to feedback and deeper collaboration.
• Better Placement Decisions: Seeing the work firsthand helps your team confirm whether job duties align with what was described—critical when matching new candidates to roles.
• Opportunities for Expansion: By identifying unmet needs or upcoming changes, you position yourself as a proactive partner who can provide solutions—not just bodies.
• OSHA Readiness: A major plus: these evaluations document the safety of temporary workers and demonstrate how your agency is monitoring and responding to hazards—something OSHA views as essential.

Machine Guarding: A Safety & Financial Priority

Hand injuries, including amputations, burns, and crush injuries, are some of the most common—and expensive—incidents in plant and warehouse settings. According to workers’ comp claim data from the NCCI:
For employers and staffing agencies alike, investing time in safety evaluations and preventative practices can save tens of thousands in potential losses—not to mention the human toll.

What Equipment Should Raise Red Flags?
OSHA has identified several “hot spots” for machine guarding violations, including:
• Mechanical Power Presses
• Press Brakes (Powered)
• Powered & Non-Powered Conveyors
• Printing Equipment
• Drill Presses & Milling Machines
• Grinders, Shears, and Slitters
If these machines are on-site, be proactive. Ask questions, review procedures, and ensure associates understand the risks.

Steps Staffing Firms Can Take

You don’t need to be a safety officer to play a meaningful role in machine safety. Here are simple, effective ways to partner with clients:
• Clarify Job Descriptions: Ensure only trained and authorized workers are assigned to machines.
• Ask About Training and LOTO: Has the client provided Lockout/Tagout and machine-specific safety training? Is it documented?
• Stay Updated on Equipment Changes: New machines? Updated procedures? Ask about them during your visits.
• Use an Evaluation Checklist: Systematic reviews help identify patterns and provide documentation that can be shared with clients.

Final Thoughts
In a competitive staffing landscape, agencies that go beyond placements and prioritize safety become invaluable to their clients. By conducting thoughtful housekeeping tours and paying attention to machine guarding, you not only protect your workforce—you also build trust, reduce liability, and reinforce your value as a true business partner.

When safety is part of your culture, it shows—and your clients will remember.

Ready to Strengthen Safety in Your Staffing Strategy?
Let’s talk about how we can help you build a safer, more productive workforce. Contact Barrow Group today to learn how our proactive approach to on-site evaluations, training, and compliance can support your success.