BELLEVILLE, Ill. ‒ Federal investigators proposed penalties of $214,782 to an Illinois roofing contractor after a recent inspection at a home construction site in Troy found workers exposed to fall hazards. Statistics show falls cause four of every 10 deaths in the construction industry.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs has proposed a rule under the Black Lung Benefits Act to modernize the department’s payment of medical treatment benefits for totally disabled coal miners. The rule would more closely align payments with industry standards and streamline bill processing.

ARLINGTON, Va. – Preliminary data released by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration indicate that in 2016, 26 miners died in work-related accidents at the nation’s mines – down from 29 in 2015. The figure represents the lowest number of mining deaths ever recorded and only the second year that mining deaths dropped below 30. Currently, approximately 330,000 miners work in more than 13,000 U.S. mines.

Employer name: Jersey City Medical Center RWJ Barnabas Health

Inspection site: 355 Grand St.
Jersey City, New Jersey

Citations issued: On Dec. 21, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued citations to the medical center for one willful and four serious safety violations.

MONROE, Wis. – Federal investigators found a local medical clinic failed to tell maintenance workers they were being exposed to hazardous asbestos material – which the company identified in 2008 – and did not provide workers with protective equipment.

CHICAGO – For the third time since the summer of 2015, a worker with a metal container manufacturer has suffered an amputation injury. In each incident, federal safety investigators found that, if the employer had complied with workplace safety standards, the injuries were preventable.

On Dec. 27, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration issued

Date of action:  December 29, 2016

Type of action:  McNamara-O’Hara Service Contract Act Debarment Action

Names of respondents:  Restaurant Associates LLC, Restaurant Associates Inc., and Dick Cattani
132 West 31^st Street, Suite 601, New York, NY 10001

In the week ending December 24, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 265,000, a decrease of 10,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 275,000. The 4-week moving average was 263,000, a decrease of 750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 263,750.

DENVER – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has found that BNSF Railway Company violated federal law when it terminated a track inspector for insubordination after the employee reported railroad track defects to management.

WASHINGTON – Results from the First Responder Workforce Diversity study, conducted for the U.S.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor awarded an additional $5.5 million to help youth between the ages of 16 to 21 who are at risk of dropping out of public or alternative high school gain skills to serve their communities in justice careers. Six non-profit organizations received funding for pilot programs that provide at risk youth mentoring and career exploration in justice and emergency services, including police officers, firefighters, lawyers, and paramedics.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration announced today updated guidance for plan fiduciaries with respect to proxy voting. Specifically, the agency released Interpretive Bulletin 2016-01, which withdraws IB 2008-2 and reinstates earlier guidance related to such proxy voting, but with certain updates to clarify what the law requires of plan fiduciaries.

Who: U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration

What: The Mine Safety and Health Administration announced federal inspectors issued 152 citations and five orders during special impact inspections conducted at 10 coal mines and seven metal and nonmetal mines in November 2016.

Where: MSHA conducted special impact inspections at mines in Alabama, California, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Maine, New Mexico, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia and West Virginia.

NEW PHILADELPHIA, Ohio – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed penalties of $274,934 to a New Philadelphia plastics manufacturer after its investigation of a second debilitating injury suffered by an employee in less than 18 months.

MARATHON, Wis. –Federal safety inspectors found multiple woodworking machines at a Wisconsin lumber company lacked adequate safeguards and that workers were not properly trained in isolating energy to machines to prevent contact with operating parts during set-up, servicing and maintenance.

COLUMBUS, Wis. – A federal investigation prompted by the death of a 17-year-old worker at a Columbus metal fabrication facility has resulted in multiple safety and health violations.

PASSAIC, N.J. – Fifty-five low-wage production workers who spend long work days sewing and loading mattresses at a Passaic mattress refurbishment company will soon receive their share of $292,998 in back wages and liquidated damages after the company entered into a consent judgment with the U.S. Department of Labor.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. General Services Administration, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Labor, today announced the issuance of the Request for Proposals (RFP) — Phase I for a new DOL Headquarters.

NEWARK, N.J. — For too long, a hard day's work for United Airlines' baggage handlers at Newark Liberty International Airport meant unnecessary pain and the risk of debilitating injuries caused by lifting customer baggage using awkward postures. From 2011 to January 2015, the airline's baggage handlers reported at least 622 musculoskeletal injuries.

Date of Action: Dec. 21, 2016

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s): Larry Porter, Susan Porter, SeaBoard Management LLC, SeaBoard Management Inc., and SeaBoard Management Inc. Money Purchase Plan