October 23, 2014

WHD News Release: US Labor Department secures nearly $2M in back wages, benefits for nearly 150 workers at federally-funded solar energy project in Nevada [10/23/2014]

LAS VEGAS — The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered $1,914,681.50 in back wages and fringe benefits for 147 workers at Proimtu Mmi-Nv LLC, a Henderson-based subcontractor providing construction services at the federally funded Crescent Dunes Solar Energy Project in Tonopah. This project, which received a $737 million loan guarantee from the U.S. Department of Energy, is a 110 MW solar energy power plant that will power up to 75,000 homes during peak electricity periods.

October 22, 2014

EBSA News Release: ERISA Advisory Council to hold public meeting Nov. 3-4 [10/22/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council, will meet Monday, Nov. 3, and Tuesday, Nov. 4. The two-day meeting will take place at the U.S. Department of Labor, 200 Constitution Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20210. On Nov. 3, the meeting will take place in C-5320, Room 6, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. EST. On Nov. 4, the meeting will take place from 8:30 a.m. to approximately 4 p.m.

October 21, 2014

Judge orders fiduciary to restore $53,287 to Industrial Surfacing Corp. 401(k) Plan in Urbana, Illinois

Date of Action: October 10, 2014

Type of Action: Default Judgment

Name of Defendant: Rodger D. Ferguson, Industrial Surfacing Corp., Industrial Surfacing Corp 401(k) Plan

October 21, 2014

OSHA News Release: OSHA cites Quest Specialty Coatings in Menomonee Falls, Wisconsin, for willful, repeat safety violations following fires at facility [10/21/2014]

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.

October 21, 2014

OSHA News Release: Mableton, Georgia, trucking company cited for repeat and serious safety and health violations [10/21/2014]

MABLETON, Ga. — Stafford Transport Inc., a solid waste removal trucking company, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for five safety and health violations following an inspection at the company's Mableton facility. OSHA initiated the inspection in July 2014 as part of the agency's Site-Specific Targeting Program, which directs enforcement resources to workplaces with higher-than-average rates of injuries and illnesses.

October 21, 2014

MSHA News Release: MSHA releases findings in double fatality at Colorado silver mine [10/21/2014]

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.

October 20, 2014

MSHA News Release: Coal dust sampling results show mines are complying with new dust rule [10/20/2014]

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.

October 16, 2014

WHD News Release: Toledo, Ohio, area restaurant owner pays more than $38,000 in back wages to workers following US Labor Department investigation [10/16/2014]

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.

October 16, 2014

OSHA News Release: Chris Sawdo Construction cited by OSHA for failing to protect workers from fall hazards while performing residential construction [10/16/2014]

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.

October 16, 2014

OSHA News Release: Advanced Tree Service in Newberry, Florida, cited for willful and serious safety violations following worker fatality [10/16/2014]

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.

October 16, 2014

OSHA News Release: The Samuels Group, OSHA renew partnership to protect construction workers on Sacred Heart Hospital project in Eau Claire, Wisconsin [10/16/2014]

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.

October 16, 2014

OSHA News Release: Employees exposed to potentially fatal fall hazards at Bridgeport, Connecticut, work site [10/16/2014]

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.

October 16, 2014

OSHA News Release: OSHA cites Texas Dollar Tree Stores for putting employees at risk [10/16/2014]

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.

October 15, 2014

OSHA News Release: Workers exposed to combustible dust, amputation and other serious hazards at Cleveland auto coatings plant [10/15/2014]

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.

October 15, 2014

OSHA News Release: OSHA partners with general contractor to protect workers during Little Rock, Arkansas, outlet mall construction project [10/15/2014]

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.

October 15, 2014

OSHA News Release: Burlington Northern Santa Fe LLC ordered to pay more than $225K to worker terminated after reporting injury at Kansas City, Kansas, rail yard [10/15/2014]

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.

October 15, 2014

ODEP News Release: US Labor Department's Office of Disability Employment Policy announces launch of Web portal on accessible workplace technology [10/15/2014]

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.

October 15, 2014

ILAB News Release: $1M available from US Labor Department to fund a project to improve compliance with labor laws in the Philippines [10/15/2014]

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.

October 14, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Labor Department and Federal Communications Commission announce working group to prevent fatalities in telecommunications industry [10/14/2014]

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.

October 14, 2014

WHD News Release: US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division establishes district office in Austin, Texas [10/14/2014]

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.