NORTH JACKSON, Ohio — A lawsuit alleging that North Jackson Specialty Steel terminated a furnace operator for reporting unsafe working conditions at its North Jackson steel mill has been filed by the U.S. Department of Labor. The suit alleges the company violated the whistleblower protection provisions of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 and seeks restoration of lost pay and benefits, compensatory and punitive damages, and compensation for attorney and other fees.

CANTON, Ohio — Employees at Matalco US Inc. in Canton were exposed to amputation, fall hazards and unsafe crane operations, according to a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection. OSHA has issued two willful, one repeat and two serious safety violations, carrying proposed penalties of $130,200.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $50,744,449 in Workforce Innovation Fund grants to improve federal job training programs. The grants will be used to deliver services more efficiently, facilitate cooperation across federal and state workforce programs and funding streams, and expand partnerships with specific employers or industry sectors to develop programs that reflect current and future skill needs.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 131 citations and 11 orders during special impact inspections conducted at 12 coal mines in August.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced $50,744,449 in Workforce Innovation Fund grants to improve federal job training programs. The grants will be used to deliver services more efficiently, facilitate cooperation across federal and state workforce programs and funding streams, and expand partnerships with specific employers or industry sectors to develop programs that reflect current and future skill needs.

PHILADELPHIA — The U.S. Department of Labor has filed suit against Philadelphia-based farm labor contractor Heng Heng Agency Inc. and its president and owner Visith Oum for wage violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act and wage, record-keeping, registration and transportation violations of the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.

Employers' names: Glennco Excavating Inc. and Labor Ready Northwest Inc.

Citations issued: Sept. 17, 2015

MIDVILLE, Ga. — Cooksey Iron & Metal Co., doing business as Cooksey Steel Co., was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 20 safety and health violations following an April 2014 inspection at the company's steel storage and distribution facility on Railroad Street in Midville.

PRATTVILLE, Ala. — Fras-le North America Inc. has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 17 safety and health violations following a March 2014 inspection at the manufacturer's Prattville facility. The inspection was initiated as part of the agency's Regional Emphasis Program for Safety Hazards in the Auto Parts Industry. Proposed penalties total $67,500.

TUSCOLA, Ill. — Roofing contractor Juan M. Garcia Martinez has been cited for four willful safety violations for exposing workers to fall hazards at two separate residential home sites in Tuscola. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has proposed penalties of $48,400 for the recent citations. OSHA cited the company twice in March 2014 for similar violations.

Date of Action: Sept. 16, 2014

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant(s):  Gulf Shores Marina LLC, Laura M. Prioli, Stephen C. Main, and the GSM/RYS 401(k) Plan 

OMAHA, Neb. — A worker at Watco Investments LLC reported suffering from respiratory inflammation after performing welding work inside a rail car in Omaha. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the company, operating as Watco Companies Inc., for three repeat and three serious safety violations, many involving OSHA's confined space safety regulations. OSHA has proposed fines of $133,900 for the company, which specializes in rail car repairs.

SECAUCUS, N.J. — General Glass International has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 10 serious safety violations, including electrical and machine hazards found at the company's fabrication and design center at 101 Venture Way in Secaucus. Initiated after a complaint, the March 2014 inspection proposed $45,540 in penalties for these violations.

DUBLIN, Ga. — An employee of John McAfee, doing business as McAfee Electric, suffered serious burns and required resuscitation by emergency responders following an incident in Dublin at Oconee Fall Line Technical College, where McAfee Electric was contracted to install emergency light-emitting diode, or LED lighting. The worker was injured while attempting to connect new wiring with existing wiring that was still powered. Following a subsequent inspection, the U.S.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the establishment of a National Advisory Committee on Increasing Competitive Integrated Employment for Individuals with Disabilities. The purpose of the committee is to study and provide recommendations to the secretary of labor on ways to increase employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities, the use of the certificate program carried out under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 (29 U.S.C.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the award of $2,765,805 to the state of Texas for enhancements to the state’s short-time compensation program, a layoff prevention program also known as "work-sharing."

BRAINTREE, Mass. — Guiseppe Falcone and Daniele Falcone, doing business as D & J Ironworks, failed to follow safety precautions, which fire officials indicated led to a fire that cost the lives of two Boston fire fighters, an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined.

CLEVELAND — After an inspection found workers were exposed to amputation hazards from improperly guarded mechanical power presses, MCM Industries Co. has been cited for one willful and 17 serious safety and health violations. The U.S.

FLORENCE, Ala. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs has entered into an agreement with federal contractor Hillshire Brands Co., formerly Sara Lee Food & Beverage, to resolve claims of systemic hiring discrimination.

Date of Action: Sept. 9, 2015

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Defendants: American Materials Corp. and Donald J. Bercowetz