September 11, 2014

OSHA News Release: Brundidge, Alabama, condiment producer fails to correct previously identified workplace hazards; nearly $235K in penalties proposed [09/11/2014]

BRUNDIDGE, Ala. — Supreme Oil Co.-South was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 14 safety and health violations following a March 2014 inspection at the company's oil production facility on North Main Street in Brundidge. OSHA initiated the inspection due to a complaint and to complete a follow-up to a previous inspection it conducted in March 2012. Proposed penalties total $234,960. Since 1994, Supreme Oil has had 11 OSHA inspections conducted at its Alabama and New Jersey facilities.

September 11, 2014

OFCCP News Release: GE Lighting settles sex discrimination case with US Labor Department [09/11/2014]

Agreement includes $537K for 102 female applicants

September 11, 2014

ETA News Release: Additional funding awarded to Texas to continue reemployment assistance to workers affected by the closure of a Cargill beef processing facility [09/11/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $953,415 National Emergency Grant incremental award so that approximately 405 workers affected by the closure of a Cargill Meat Solutions beef processing plant located in Plainview, Texas, can continue receiving re-employment services. These funds are being awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission.

September 11, 2014

OSHA News Release: OSHA announces new requirements for reporting severe injuries and updates list of industries exempt from record-keeping requirements [09/11/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a final rule requiring employers to notify OSHA when an employee is killed on the job or suffers a work-related hospitalization, amputation or loss of an eye. The rule, which also updates the list of employers partially exempt from OSHA record-keeping requirements, will go into effect on Jan. 1, 2015, for workplaces under federal OSHA jurisdiction.

September 11, 2014

ODEP News Release: $8.4M in continued funding to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities announced by US Labor Department [09/11/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Disability Employment Policy today announced a total of $8,422,574 in continued funding for organizations that develop models, provide technical assistance and share best practices to improve employment opportunities for people with disabilities.

"Individuals with disabilities have skills and experiences that employers need," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "These federal grants will help connect these workers with employers and put them on the path to economic self-sufficiency."

September 11, 2014

ETA News Release: Additional funding awarded to Texas to continue reemployment assistance to workers affected by the closure of a Cargill beef processing facility [09/11/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $953,415 National Emergency Grant incremental award so that approximately 405 workers affected by the closure of a Cargill Meat Solutions beef processing plant located in Plainview, Texas, can continue receiving re-employment services. These funds are being awarded to the Texas Workforce Commission.

September 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Mt. Pleasant Blacktopping cited for failing to protect workers from trench cave-ins while installing water mains [09/10/2014]

HAMILTON, Ohio — Exposing workers to cave-in hazards while installing water mains has resulted in Mt. Pleasant Blacktopping Inc. being cited for one willful and one serious safety violation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA opened the April 27 inspection after observing employees working in three separate unprotected trenches on Symmes Road in Hamilton. Proposed penalties total $77,000.

September 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Arctic Glacier USA Inc. cited by US Labor Department's OSHA for exposing employees to ammonia hazards at Brooklyn, New York, ice plant [09/10/2014]

NEW YORK — Inadequate safeguards to protect workers against potential ammonia releases at its Brooklyn, N.Y., ice plant have resulted in $264,700 in U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration fines for Arctic Glacier U.S.A., Inc., a nationwide ice manufacturer and distributor. OSHA cited the company for 19 violations of workplace safety standards following a comprehensive inspection by OSHA's Manhattan Area Office that began in March.

September 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Enfield, Connecticut, roofing contractor exposed workers to falls at 2 New Britain sites, faces nearly $300,000 in OSHA fines [09/10/2014]

HARTFORD, Conn. — Gleason Roofing Co. deliberately and repeatedly failed to use legally required fall protection for its employees at two New Britain work sites and exposed workers to potentially fatal falls, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration determined. The Enfield roofing contractor faces four willful and two serious violations of safety standards and $294,000 in fines.

September 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Worker crushed by machinery at Youngstown, Ohio, steel mill [09/10/2014]

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio — After receiving information that a worker had suffered severe injuries after being crushed between two machines, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Vallourec Star for 22 serious safety violations. The machine operator suffered multiple fractures to his pelvis, Feb. 27, 2014, and has been unable to return to work. The investigation found that Youngstown steel mill workers were exposed to crushing, amputation and fall hazards.

September 10, 2014

OSHA News Release: Workers exposed to amputation hazards at Peoria, Illinois, tower manufacturer [09/10/2014]

PEORIA, Ill. — After an inspection by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration, Rohn Products LLC has been cited for 11 serious safety and health violations at its steel tower manufacturing plant on Plank Road in Peoria. Many of the violations involve exposing workers to amputation and crushing hazards during the daily operation of dangerous machinery. Proposed penalties total $66,700.

September 10, 2014

OFCCP News Release: Data mining giant Westat to pay $1.5M to settle discrimination case with US Labor Department [09/10/2014]

More than 3,600 African American, Asian American, Hispanic and female applicants to benefit

September 9, 2014

OSHA News Release: Alabama metal manufacturer cited by OSHA for exposing workers to amputations, falls and other workplace safety hazards [09/09/2014]

ONEONTA, Ala. — Diversified Fabricating Inc. was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 23 safety and health violations, including exposure to amputation and fall hazards, following an inspection at the company's facility on Commerce Drive. At the time of the inspection, initiated as part of OSHA's National Emphasis Program on Amputations, workers were engaged in fabricating steel drums used in the lumber mill industry. Proposed penalties total $73,500.

September 9, 2014

OSHA News Release: Promoting worker safety in oil and gas sector prompts OSHA area offices in El Paso and Lubbock, Texas, to renew Permian Basin STEPS Network alliance [09/09/2014]

MIDLAND, Texas — To continue its mission to keep oil and gas workers safe, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has renewed its 2008 alliance with the Permian Basin Service, Transmission, Exploration and Production Safety Network in Midland.

September 8, 2014

OSHA News Release: $10.6M in safety and health grants awarded to 78 organizations across the nation by US Labor Department's OSHA [09/08/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today awarded $10,687,000 through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program to 78 nonprofit organizations, including community- and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, and colleges and universities.

September 8, 2014

OSHA News Release: Plastering subcontractor repeatedly exposed workers to fall hazards [09/08/2014]

SAN ANTONIO — Roma Construction Inc., a stucco plastering subcontractor of Monticello Homes, is being cited for five repeat and seven serious violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. The company exposed workers to falls hazards of up to 20 feet as a result of improper scaffolding at the Hastings Ridge at Kinder Ranch residential development. The proposed penalty is $79,200.

September 8, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA finds 6 safety, health violations at Saginaw, Michigan, medical center for veterans [09/08/2014]

SAGINAW, Mich. — Aleda E. Lutz Veterans Administration Medical Center employees in Saginaw were exposed to asbestos, bloodborne pathogens and unsafe operation of powered industrial vehicles, a U.S. Department of Labor Occupational Safety and Health Administration inspection found.

September 8, 2014

OSHA News Release: $10.6M in safety and health grants awarded to 78 organizations across the nation by US Labor Department's OSHA [09/08/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today awarded $10,687,000 through the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program to 78 nonprofit organizations, including community- and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, and colleges and universities.

September 8, 2014

EBSA News Release: ERISA Advisory Council to hold open meeting Monday, Sept. 29 [09/08/2014]

WASHINGTON — An open meeting of the Advisory Council on Employee Welfare and Pension Benefit Plans, also known as the ERISA Advisory Council, will take place Monday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT. The council will discuss reports and recommendations on the issues of pharmacy benefit manager compensation and fee disclosure, outsourcing employee benefit plan services and facilitating lifetime plan participation.

September 5, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement of US Secretary of Labor Perez on August employment numbers [09/05/2014]

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

"With today's report, businesses have added more than 10 million jobs over the last four and a half years. That makes 54 consecutive months of private-sector job growth, the longest streak on record. The unemployment rate ticked down to 6.1 percent in August, a significant decrease from 7.2 percent in August 2013.