MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — A May 1, 2014, inspection conducted after a complaint alleging three separate fires at Quest Specialty Coatings has resulted in the issuance of eight safety violations. Many of the violations were cited under the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration Process Safety Management Standards, which contain specific requirements for managing highly hazardous chemicals in work processes.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that it has imposed a fine of $1,077,800 following its investigation into the deaths of two miners at Revenue Mine on Nov. 17, 2013. The underground silver ore mine, located in Ouray County, Colorado, was operated by Star Mine Operations LLC.

WASHINGTON — Despite concerns voiced by the mining industry that it would have trouble meeting the requirements of the rule to reduce respirable coal mine dust, approximately 99 percent of the 7,456 valid respirable dust samples collected during the first two months under the new rule met compliance levels, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration.

TOLEDO, Ohio — Toledo area restaurant owner Nicholas Tokles has paid 69 cooks, bartenders and servers a total of $38,425 in back wages after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division found violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act's minimum wage, overtime and record-keeping provisions at his restaurants. A consent judgment, entered in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Western Division, ordered the payment.

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Chris Sawdo Construction LLC, in Middleburg, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for one willful and three serious safety violations for exposing workers to fall hazards. The inspection was initiated in May 2014 when OSHA officials observed that employees doing roofing work at a residence on South Twin Maple Road in St. Augustine were working without fall protection. Penalties total $60,500.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A 39-year-old tree trimmer was killed when the mechanical arm supporting the bucket of an aerial lift suddenly collapsed, striking the cab of the truck and ejecting the worker onto the pavement. As a result of the fatality, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited Advanced Tree Service in Newberry for five safety violations.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The Samuels Group and the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration have renewed a strategic partnership to protect and educate workers on construction hazards during the Sacred Heart Hospital Curtail Wall Replacement Project in Eau Claire.

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. — New Haven roofing contractor employees were exposed to potentially fatal falls at a Bridgeport work site due to their employer's deliberate failure to supply required fall protection.

The Bridgeport Area Office of the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found employees of Xtreme Restoration & Waterproofing LLC working without fall protection atop a two-story roof at a residential work site at 1040-1044 Stratford Ave. on June 16, 2014.

WATAUGA, Texas — National discount chain Dollar Tree Stores Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for willfully and repeatedly exposing workers to serious hazards at its store in Watauga. Across the nation, Dollar Tree Stores have been cited for more than 200 safety and health violations since 2009. Proposed penalties for the latest inspection total $262,500.

CLEVELAND — A complaint inspection found workers were exposed to combustible dust, amputation and other serious hazards at Hurst Auto-Truck Electric Ltd. in Cleveland. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the company for 15 serious safety and health violations after the inspection and has proposed penalties of $62,300. The plant specializes in chrome plating and powder-coating finished accessories for the automotive industry.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC wrongfully terminated an employee in Kansas City after he reported an injury to his left shoulder, according to the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The goal of a new strategic partnership formed today between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and general contractor CDI Contractors LLC is to ensure the health and safety of workers during the construction of the Little Rock Outlets Mall in Little Rock.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced the launch of http://www.PEATworks.org — a comprehensive Web portal spearheaded by ODEP's Partnership on Employment & Accessible Technology. From educational articles to interactive tools, the website's content aims to help employers and the technology industry adopt accessible technology as part of everyday business practice so that all workers can benefit.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $1 million competitive solicitation for a project to assist the government of the Philippines with improving compliance with labor laws and regulations, including those related to occupational safety and health.

WASHINGTON — Kathy Pierce expected her son, Chad Weller, to come home on March 19, 2014, at the end of his shift as a cell tower climber. But Weller, always ready with a smile for his mother, never came back. He was sent up alone to fix a communication signal on top of a water tower in the rain while wearing a harness two sizes too big — and he lost his life in a fatal fall. Chad Weller is one of 11 workers who have lost their lives in 2014 while constructing or repairing cell towers.

AUSTIN, Texas — A newly upgraded Wage and Hour Division district office has opened in Austin to connect employees, employers, community organizations and other stakeholders with resources and assistance to ensure compliance with federal wage and hour laws. The district office is located in the J.J. Pickle Federal Building at 300 E. 8th St., Suite 865, Austin, 78701.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $1,389,000 competitive solicitation for a project to assist the government of Mexico to combat labor discrimination by supporting enforcement of the strengthened anti-discrimination provisions in Mexico's Federal Labor Law Reform of 2012.

WASHINGTON — From Ray Suarez's "Latino Americans" to Jeffrey Marcos Garcilazo's "Traqueros: Mexican Railroad Workers in the United States," books that focus on Hispanics and work are being highlighted during Hispanic Heritage Month as part of the U.S. Department of Labor's Books that Shaped Work in America initiative.

WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez issued the following statement today on the awarding of the 2014 Nobel Peace Prize:

"I want to congratulate two courageous human rights champions, Kailash Satyarthi and Malala Yousafzai, for receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. Kailash Satyarthi's tireless campaign to end forced child labor and Malala Yousafzai's fearless global advocacy for the right of boys and girls to an education are helping to transform the global landscape of children's rights.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that the Nationwide Coal Mine Rescue Skills Championship, hosted by the Mining Technology and Training Center in Prosperity, Pennsylvania, drew 24 mine rescue teams from across the country for two days of competition. The winners were announced on Oct.