November 17, 2014

OSHA News Release: Accurate Box Co. Inc. cited again by OSHA for machine hazards [11/17/2014]

PATERSON, N.J. — After entering a die cutting machine to do maintenance, a worker employed for 26 years at Accurate Box Co. Inc. in Paterson was crushed when the die cutter was activated by another employee unaware that the victim was inside. A subsequent investigation into the incident, which caused severe internal injuries to the worker, was initiated in May 2014 by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

November 14, 2014

US Department of Labor announces public hearing on Credit Suisse

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor will hold a public hearing in January on whether, and under what conditions, affiliates of Credit Suisse should be permitted to serve as Qualified Professional Asset Managers after Credit Suisse's guilty plea to one count of conspiracy to engage in tax fraud in violation of section 7206(2) of the Internal Revenue Code.

November 13, 2014

OSHA News Release: Florida-based company exposed workers to repeat hazards at Waxahachie, Texas, facility [11/13/2014]

WAXAHACHIE, Texas — Southern Grouts and Mortars Inc. has been cited for eight safety and health violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration after a May 2014 follow-up inspection found repeat violations at its Waxahachie facility. Proposed penalties total $58,520.

November 13, 2014

OSHA News Release: Workers exposed to falls, amputation hazards at TimkenSteel's three Canton, Ohio, plants [11/13/2014]

CANTON, Ohio — Employees at all three of TimkenSteel Corp.'s Canton plants were found by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration to be exposed to amputation and fall hazards. OSHA issued 12 serious safety violations, which carry proposed penalties of $77,000. The inspections were initiated following employee complaints alleging unsafe working conditions.

November 13, 2014

OSHA News Release: New OSHA program will focus on Nebraska companies using highly hazardous chemicals [11/13/2014]

OMAHA, Neb. — To educate employers and workers about highly hazardous chemicals, including formaldehyde and methylene chloride, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is launching a local emphasis program in Nebraska. The program will include programmed health inspections at funeral homes, chemical and product manufacturing plants, printing facilities and outpatient care centers.

November 12, 2014

US Labor Department helped thousands of agricultural workers in central Florida this year

Investigations find minimum wage, overtime, housing and transportation violations

November 12, 2014

US Labor Department signs agreement with New Hampshire Department of Labor to reduce misclassification of employees

WASHINGTON — Officials from the U.S. Department of Labor and the New Hampshire Department of Labor has signed a memorandum of understanding with the goal of protecting the rights of employees by preventing their misclassification as something other than employees, such as independent contractors or other nonemployee statuses.

November 12, 2014

OSHA News Release: Workers cleaning chemical spill at Portage, Wisconsin, plastics plant lacked training, personal protective equipment [11/12/2014]

PORTAGE, Wis. — Workers cleaning a chemical spill at Penda Corp. in Portage had not been trained in proper cleanup procedures or provided proper personal protective equipment, according to an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA found that workers experienced symptoms of overexposure to an isocyanates chemical used in plastics manufacturing that can cause occupational asthma and other lung problems, as well as irritation of the eyes, nose, throat and skin.

November 11, 2014

Statement by US Labor Secretary Perez on the passing of civil rights leader John Doar

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez today issued the following statement following the death of civil rights lawyer John Doar:

"America has lost one of its bravest and boldest civil rights giants.

"Throughout the 20th century, wherever men and women sought equal justice under the law, wherever constitutional rights were under siege, wherever bigotry and discrimination threatened to prevail, John Doar was there. His steel spine and calming influence saw the nation through some of its most tumultuous moments.

November 10, 2014

US Labor Secretary Thomas E. Perez keynotes Veterans Day Salute

Event features panel on women veterans in STEM

November 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Aluminum facility exposed workers to struck-by and electrical hazards [11/10/2014]

SWEETWATER, Texas — For exposing workers to struck-by, electrical and unguarded machine hazards, Texas TST Inc. is being cited for 13 safety violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Proposed penalties total $47,600.

November 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Texas drilling company, Spradling LP, cited for safety and health violations [11/10/2014]

AMARILLO, Texas — Following a complaint about unsafe working conditions, Spradling LP has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 13 serious safety and health violations for exposing workers to falls, struck-by, electric shock hazards and failing to guard rotating machinery parts at its Channing drilling site near Amarillo. Proposed penalties total $46,200.

November 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Machine operator fatally crushed at Cleveland Track Material [11/10/2014]

CLEVELAND —— A 45-year-old machine operator was fatally crushed while he adjusted a set screw on a rolling mill at Cleveland Track Material on Aug. 21, 2014. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration investigation found workers were exposed to dangerous rotating machinery parts at the facility that rolls steel for railroad industry use. Seven serious violations have been issued as a result of the investigation.

November 7, 2014

Statement of US Labor Secretary Perez on October employment numbers

WASHINGTON – U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement about the October 2014 Employment Situation report released today:

"October was another solid month of job growth, as our economy added 214,000 jobs and continued its strong, steady recovery. It was the ninth month in a row with greater than 200,000 new jobs (after revisions), and private employers have now created 10.6 million new jobs over the last 56 months. The unemployment rate fell to 5.8 percent, compared to 7.2 percent a year ago.

November 7, 2014

US Labor Department extends deadline for comments on labor capacity-building efforts under CAFTA-DR

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor is extending the public comment period on labor capacity-building efforts under the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement until 11:59 p.m. EST on Friday, Nov. 28. The original deadline established for receipt of public comments was 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, Nov. 10.

November 7, 2014

Interim final rule making Form 5500 changes required by the CSEC Act published by US Labor Department

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today published in the Federal Register an interim final rule to implement Form 5500 annual reporting changes for multiple employer plans required by the Cooperative and Small Employer Charity Pension Flexibility Act, enacted on April 7.

November 6, 2014

Additional funding to assist Minnesota workers affected by grocery industry layoffs

WASHINGTON – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will receive an $88,000 National Emergency Grant supplemental award from the U.S. Department of Labor to continue providing reemployment services to workers affected by layoffs at three SUPERVALU facilities,located in Eden Prairie and Stillwater, Minnesota.

November 6, 2014

$2.8M grant awarded to Michigan to launch a new program designed to prevent worker layoffs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $2,840,535 to the state of Michigan to develop and promote a short-time compensation program, a layoff prevention program also known as "work-sharing."

November 6, 2014

US Labor Department renews workplace rights agreements with several Latin American countries

US Labor Secretary joined by ambassadors of Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica for signing ceremony

WASHINGTON — During a ceremony today at U.S. Department of Labor headquarters, U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez renewed partnership agreements with ambassadors representing the countries of Mexico, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Nicaragua and Costa Rica.

November 6, 2014

Workers face millions in unpaid wages in Southern California garment industry

US Labor Department finds workers owed more than $3M in most recent year alone