June 25, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA and CDC Issue Interim Guidance To Protect Seafood Processing Industry Workers

WASHINGTON, DC The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), in consultation with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have released joint coronavirus-related interim guidance for employers and workers performing seafood processing operations in onshore facilities and aboard vessels offshore.

June 23, 2020

U.S. Secretary of Labor Scalia Highlights American Economic Recovery In Dallas, Texas

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Dallas, Texas, where he joined the Dallas Regional Chamber of Commerce for a roundtable discussion with local business leaders on safely reopening the economy. Later in the day, Secretary Scalia visited American Leather, where he met with both employees and company leadership about the nationwide economic recovery.

June 19, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites North Carolina-Based Electric Distributor For Exposing Employees to Excavation Hazards at Florida Worksite

ZEPHYRHILLS, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Florida Progress LLC – operating as Duke Energy Florida LLC – for exposing employees to excavation hazards at a Zephyrhills, Florida, worksite. The Charlotte, North Carolina-based electric power distributor faces $53,976 in penalties.

June 18, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues OSHA Guidance As Non-Essential Businesses Reopen and Employees Return to Work

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued guidance to assist employers reopening non-essential businesses and their employees returning to work during the evolving coronavirus pandemic.

June 16, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Fines New Jersey Manufacturer For Failing to Correct Machine Hazards

PENNSAUKEN, NJ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Bravo Pak Inc. for failing to abate hazards at its Pennsauken, New Jersey, facility. The company owes $259,760 in penalties.

June 15, 2020

As More Businesses Reopen, Worker Safety and Health Remains U.S. Department of Labor Priority

WASHINGTON, DC – As more workplaces begin to reopen, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is reminding employers that worker safety remains a priority amid both coronavirus and common workplace hazards. 

June 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Publishes 14 Additional Translations Of OSHA Poster On Proper Workplace Use of Respirators

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published the “Seven Steps to Correctly Wear a Respirator at Work” poster in 14 additional languages. Initially available in English and Spanish, the poster demonstrates and describes seven steps every worker should follow when putting on and taking off a respirator.

June 15, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites South Carolina Shipyard After Employee Suffers Fatal Injuries at Worksite

NORTH CHARLESTON, SC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Detyens Shipyards Inc. for failing to protect employees from struck-by and fall hazards. The company faces $37,591 in penalties.

June 12, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Orders Railway to Reinstate Employee After Being Terminated For Reporting Injury

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has ordered Norfolk Southern Railway Corp. to reinstate and pay more than $150,000 in back wages after terminating an employee for reporting an on-the-job injury at its Atlanta, Georgia, facility, and also filing an alleged violation report with the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA). OSHA also ordered the company to pay the employee $75,000 in punitive damages, $10,000 in compensatory damages and attorney’s fees.

June 11, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Statement on D.C. Circuit Court Ruling

WASHINGTON, DC – Solicitor of Labor Kate O’Scannlain and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Loren Sweatt issued the following statement regarding today’s D.C. Circuit Court ruling in re: American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, No. 20-1158:

June 11, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Roofing Contractor After Employee Suffers Fatal Fall at Alabama Worksite

MOBILE, AL The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited roofing contractor Elmer Julio Perez – operating as Julio Perez – for failing to protect employees from fall hazards after a worker fatally fell from a residential roof at a Mobile, Alabama, worksite. The company faces $138,118 in penalties.

June 10, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Proposes $1.9 Million Fine to New Jersey Framing Contractor for Exposing Workers to Safety Hazards

PALISADES PARK, NJ – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is proposing penalties against BB Frame LLC – operating as Frame Q and as Juan Quevedo (the owner and principal) – for exposing workers to multiple safety hazards at four Bergen County, New Jersey, worksites. OSHA conducted five investigations beginning in December 2019 of the Palisades Park, New Jersey, framing contractor and is proposing $1,997,125 in penalties.

June 10, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Frequently Asked Questions and Answers About Face Coverings, Surgical Masks and Respirators in the Workplace

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a series of frequently asked questions and answers regarding the use of masks in the workplace.

June 9, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor to Offer Families First Coronavirus Response Act Webinars to Educate Employees and Employers

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD) and Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) will offer two joint webinars on June 10, 2020, to educate employers and employees in the Southeast on the paid sick leave, and expanded family and medical leave benefits available under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) and whistleblower protections.

June 8, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Illinois Grain Facility After Employee Fatally Injured While Working in Storage Bin

GRANT PARK, IL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) Farmers Elevator Co. – based in Manteno, Illinois – was cited $205,106 and placed on the Severe Violator Enforcement Program for failing to provide safety protections to its employees. A worker suffered fatal injuries after falling into a grain bin at its Grant Park facility.

June 5, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Florida Roofing Contractor For Failing to Protect Employees from Falls and Other Hazards

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited CJM Roofing Inc. – based in West Palm, Florida – for exposing employees to fall and other hazards at three residential worksites in Jensen Beach and Port St. Lucie, Florida. The contractor faces penalties totaling $199,711.

June 3, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Illinois Grain Facility After Engulfed Employee Rescued From Corn Storage Bin

MINOOKA, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited the Minooka Grain, Lumber and Supply Company for grain-handling safety violations after corn engulfed an employee clearing clumps in a grain storage bin. First responders were able to rescue the worker. The company faces $69,010 in penalties.

June 3, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Cites Illinois Grain Facility After Engulfed Employee Rescued From Corn Storage Bin

MINOOKA, IL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited the Minooka Grain, Lumber and Supply Company for grain-handling safety violations after corn engulfed an employee clearing clumps in a grain storage bin. First responders were able to rescue the worker. The company faces $69,010 in penalties.

June 2, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor Issues Alert to Keep Stockroom And Loading Dock Workers Safe During Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued an alert listing safety tips employers can follow to protect stockroom and loading dock workers in the retail industry from exposure to the coronavirus. 

Safety measures employers can implement include:

June 2, 2020

U.S. Department of Labor’s OSHA and CDC Issue Guidance to Help Agriculture Workers during the Coronavirus Pandemic

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today issued guidance that includes recommended actions to protect agriculture workers from exposure to the coronavirus.