December 18, 2021

Statement from the US Department of Labor on the 6th Circuit Court of Appeals dissolving the stay of OSHA emergency temporary standard on vaccination and testing

“OSHA is gratified the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit dissolved the Fifth Circuit’s stay of the Vaccination and Testing Emergency Temporary Standard. OSHA can now once again implement this vital workplace health standard, which will protect the health of workers by mitigating the spread of the unprecedented virus in the workplace.

December 16, 2021

US Department of Labor proposes $204K in fines after worker suffers amputation at Arkansas wood flooring plant

MONTICELLO, AR – A knot saw operator suffered a partial amputation of an index finger in June 2021 when his hand came in contact with a rotating blade that lacked adequate machine guarding. A few weeks earlier, a similar saw at the Maxwell Hardwood Flooring plant in Monticello lacerated a co-worker’s palm severely, leaving them with nerve damage.

December 15, 2021

US Department of Labor cites global spice importer after worker suffers partial finger amputation at Jackson facility, levies $146K in penalties

JACKSON, AL – On Aug. 8, a 61-year-old maintenance employee of iSpice LLC in Jackson had part of his finger amputated while adding wrapping material to a machine that started and trapped his hand. His employer failed to ensure proper guarding was installed. The incident occurred less than six months after the U.S.

December 14, 2021

US Department of Labor, Langlas & Associates align to promote worker safety during construction of Rocky Vista University medical school

BILLINGS, MT – The U.S. Department of Labor announced that the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Langlas & Associates Inc. have signed a strategic partnership to prevent serious hazards, and enhance workplace safety and health practices for workers on the Rocky Vista University construction project in Billings.

December 13, 2021

History of violations: Dollar General continues to put workers at risk; company faces $321K in penalties after recent Alabama inspection

MOBILE, AL – As the nation’s largest discount retailer, Dollar General stores are widely known by shoppers in 46 states for their low-price merchandise. At the U.S. Department of Labor, the company is recognized for its long history of violations and repeated failures to protect its workers from on-the-job hazards.

December 6, 2021

US Department of Labor extends deadline for nominations to serve on Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has extended the deadline for submitting nominations to serve on the Federal Advisory Council on Occupational Safety and Health. Nominations must now be submitted by Jan. 31, 2022.

December 3, 2021

Queens contractor failed to provide lifesaving fall protection, training to employees at Brooklyn worksite, US Department of Labor finds

NEW YORK – A federal workplace safety investigation has found a Queens construction contractor failed to provide and ensure the use of effective fall protection safeguards that would have prevented the death of a worker who fell about 60 feet from a roof on May 27, 2021, during demolition of a Brooklyn building.

December 2, 2021

UPDATED: US Department of Labor cites one of the nation’s largest pork processors for exposing workers to repetitive motion injuries, placing essential workers at risk

GUYMON, OK – A Guymon processing and packing facility – operated by one of the nation’s largest pork processors – failed to prevent workers from being exposed to repetitive motion injuries and did not record injuries that needed more than basic first-aid.

December 2, 2021

US Department of Labor extends comment period for rulemaking to protect indoor and outdoor workers from heat hazards

WASHINGTON The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is extending the period for submitting comments on the Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking for Heat Injury and Illness Prevention in Outdoor and Indoor Work Settings. Comments on the ANPRM must now be submitted by Jan. 26, 2022.

December 1, 2021

US Department of Labor again cites New York roofing contractor for exposing workers to falls – industry’s leading cause of death

TARRYTOWN, NY – Three federal safety inspections at a Suffern condominium complex confirmed a Rockland County roofing contractor repeatedly exposed residential roof workers to potentially deadly falls from heights of 18 to 20 feet.   

November 30, 2021

US Department of Labor extends comment period for COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has extended the comment period for the COVID-19 vaccination and testing emergency temporary standard to Jan. 19, 2022. OSHA extended the comment period by 45 days to allow stakeholders additional time to review the ETS and collect information and data necessary for comment.

November 30, 2021

Milledgeville grocer exposed workers to risk of coronavirus, amputation hazards, US Department of Labor inspection finds

MILLEDGEVILLE, GA A Milledgeville grocery store faces $9,362 in penalties after the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration found the employer failed to protect employees from exposure to coronavirus and other safety hazards.

November 30, 2021

US Department of Labor cites St. Croix refinery for failing to protect workers from hazardous chemicals following flaring incidents

GUAYNABO, PR – Oil and vapor releases into the air and fiery flares at a St. Croix refinery in February and May led to an investigation that found the operator failed to meet federal workplace chemical safety standards and endangered workers.

November 29, 2021

US Department of Labor cites two Rhode Island contractors for exposing workers to cave-in hazards at Warwick sewer line excavation

PROVIDENCE, RI – The sidewalls of an unprotected trench can collapse without warning and with great force – crushing and sometimes suffocating workers beneath tons of soil and debris – before they can react or escape. A federal inspection at a Warwick excavation found two area contractors ignoring the risks and placing their workers in serious danger.     

November 23, 2021

US Department of Labor finds North Georgia contractor bypassed safety requirements in investigation of 24-year-old worker’s death in Dawsonville

DAWSONVILLE, GA – If federal workplace safety requirements had been followed, a North Georgia site grading and pipeline contractor could have prevented the death of a 24-year-old worker who was killed in May after a fork attachment used on a front-end loader dislodged and struck the worker.

November 22, 2021

US Department of Labor reminds employers to avoid compliance issues by ensuring worker safety, proper pay practices this holiday season

WASHINGTON – With the National Retail Federation expecting retailers to hire more than 500,000 seasonal workers and employers hopeful for a busy holiday season, the U.S. Department of Labor reminds them not to overlook their worker’s rights to a safe and healthy workplace and to be paid all of their legally earned wages.

November 18, 2021

US Department of Labor orders Houston crane company to pay nearly $24K to worker who refused to violate federal law

HOUSTON – A federal whistleblower investigation led the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration to order a Houston mobile crane rental company to pay a former employee nearly $24,000 in back wages, interest and damages after firing the worker in June 2020 for refusing to drive in excess of federal limits and reported fatigue.

November 17, 2021

US Department of Labor alleges global truck manufacturer fired worker concerned about coronavirus safety at Texas facility

DENTON, TX – As the coronavirus began to spread rapidly across the nation in March 2020, an employee of one of the world’s largest manufacturers of light, medium and heavy-duty trucks told a supervisor of their concerns about exposure to the virus at the Denton facility.

November 16, 2021

US Department of Labor, stakeholders to sign partnership agreement to train, protect workers on Obama Presidential Center from construction hazards

CHICAGO – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Illinois On-Site Safety and Health Consultation Program, Lakeside Alliance and key participants will sign a strategic partnership to prevent serious hazards and enhance workplace safety and health practices for workers constructing the Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park on Chicago’s South side.

November 16, 2021

US Department of Labor opens online dialogue with stakeholders to expand access among underrepresented communities to Registered Apprenticeships

WASHINGTON –The U.S. Department of Labor today launched an online dialogue with stakeholders to increase access to Registered Apprenticeships for job seekers in underrepresented communities.

Conversation and ideas shared will help develop and shape future Registered Apprenticeship programs and funding opportunities, and foster diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.