KANSAS CITY, Mo. – As residents recover from the damage caused by the recent tornadoes and severe storms in Missouri and Kansas, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration urges recovery workers, employers and the public to use caution during cleanup and recovery efforts. The agency urges all to be aware of hazards they may encounter, and steps needed to to stay safe and healthy.

State: Iowa

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Incremental Amount Awarded: $691,693

Total Funds Awarded to Date: $1,728,979

Funding Awarded to: Iowa Workforce Development

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 650

SPRINGFIELD, Mass.—Barr & Barr Inc., a construction management company, and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration have signed a strategic partnership to enhance workplace safety and health during the construction of Amherst College’s New Science Center.

WASHINGTON – Former Pantex plant workers in Amarillo, Texas, may qualify as part of a new worker Special Exposure Cohort class that will simplify filing of Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act claims.

In the week ending February 25, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 223,000, a decrease of 19,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since March 31, 1973 when it was 222,000. The previous week's level was revised down by 2,000 from 244,000 to 242,000. The 4-week moving average was 234,250, a decrease of 6,250 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since April 14, 1973 when it was 232,750. The previous week's average was revised down by 500 from 241,000 to 240,500.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a proposed extension of the applicability dates of the fiduciary rule and related exemptions, including the Best Interest Contract Exemption, from April 10 to June 9, 2017.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor has announced a proposed delay in the effective date of the rule entitled Occupational Exposure to Beryllium, from March 21, 2017, to May 20, 2017.

What: The U.S. Department of Labor announces the availability of approximately $12 million in funding from the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program to provide America’s military veterans with job-driven training for in-demand jobs to help them attain good civilian jobs and transition successfully from homelessness to sustainable housing. Homeless veterans may receive occupational, classroom and on-the-job training, as well as job search and placement assistance, including follow-up services.

SEDRO-WOOLLEY, Wash. – The Cascades Job Corps College & Career Academy in Sedro-Woolley is now accepting enrollment applications.  A demonstration project funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, the academy will provide students with opportunities to earn college credits and industry-recognized credentials in health care and information technology.

In the week ending February 18, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 244,000, an increase of 6,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 239,000 to 238,000. The 4-week moving average was 241,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since July 21, 1973 when it was 239,500. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 245,250 to 245,000.

Participants: U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration offices in Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio, and Allied Construction Industries, a trade association representing more than 500 member companies.

State: Kentucky

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Award Amount Approved: $1,989,194

Initial Amount Released: $1,091,153

Funding Awarded to: Kentucky Education and Workforce Development Cabinet

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 175

In the week ending February 11, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 239,000, an increase of 5,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 234,000. The 4-week moving average was 245,250, an increase of 500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 500 from 244,250 to 244,750.

ARLINGTON, Va. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today the availability of up to $1 million in grants for education and training programs to help identify, avoid and prevent unsafe working conditions in and around the nation’s mines.

In the week ending February 4, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 234,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 246,000. The 4-week moving average was 244,250, a decrease of 3,750 from the previous week's unrevised average of 248,000. This is the lowest level for this average since November 3, 1973 when it was 244,000.

State: Washington

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant supplemental

Supplemental Amount Approved: $2,000,000

Total Funds Awarded: $10,086,385

Funding Awarded to: Pacific Mountain Workforce Consortium

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 2,100

WASHINGTON – Acting U.S. Secretary of Labor Ed Hugler today issued a statement following the release of President Trump’s memorandum on the Department of Labor’s Fiduciary Rule:

“The Department of Labor will now consider its legal options to delay the applicability date as we comply with the President’s memorandum.”

In the week ending January 28, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 246,000, a decrease of 14,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 259,000 to 260,000. The 4-week moving average was 248,000, an increase of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 245,500 to 245,750.

In the week ending January 21, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 259,000, an increase of 22,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 3,000 from 234,000 to 237,000. The 4-week moving average was 245,500, a decrease of 2,000 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since November 3, 1973 when it was 244,000. The previous week's average was revised up by 750 from 246,750 to 247,500.

State: Wyoming

Type of Award: National Dislocated Worker Grant

Award Amount Approved: $2,000,000

Initial Amount Released: $1,080,465

Funding Awarded to: Wyoming Department of Workforce Services

Number of Workers Served: Approximately 140