WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced a proposed rule aimed at curbing lung cancer, silicosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and kidney disease in America's workers. The proposal seeks to lower worker exposure to crystalline silica, which kills hundreds of workers and sickens thousands more each year. After publication of the proposal, the public will have 90 days to submit written comments, followed by public hearings.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 17, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 336,000, an increase of 13,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 323,000. The 4-week moving average was 330,500, a decrease of 2,250 from the previous week's revised average of 332,750.

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced an upcoming webcast. “The Affordable Care Act: How Will It Affect Me?” will take place Thursday, Aug. 29 from 1-2 p.m. EDT. EBSA staff will be joined on the webcast by colleagues from the Department of Health and Human Services.

Plant placed in Severe Violator Enforcement Program

EAST PEORIA, Ill. — Hagel Metal Fabrication Inc., has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 12 safety and health violations after a 23-year-old worker was fatally crushed Feb. 22 by an automated laser-cutting machine. During the investigation, workers made formal complaints, which prompted two additional OSHA inspections at the East Peoria metal manufacturing plant.

WASHINGTON — Preliminary results from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' National Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries released today show a reduction in the number of fatal work injuries in 2012 compared with 2011. Last year, 4,383 workers died from work-related injuries, down from a final count of 4,693 fatal work injuries in 2011. Based on preliminary counts, the rate of fatal workplace injuries in 2012 was 3.2 per 100,000 full-time equivalent workers, down from a rate of 3.5 per 100,000 in 2011. In response, Secretary of Labor Thomas E.

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit against San Francisco's California Pacific Bank and four of its directors. The complaint alleges that the bank, its CEO and three additional fiduciaries of the bank's Employee Stock Ownership Plan mismanaged plan assets resulting in potential plan losses totaling approximately $1.4 million. The suit asks the court to require the fiduciaries to restore all losses they caused to the plan.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration today announced an upcoming webcast. "The Affordable Care Act: How Will It Affect Me?" will take place Thursday, Aug. 29 from 1-2 p.m. EDT. EBSA staff will be joined on the webcast by colleagues from the Department of Health and Human Services.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded an $807,193 National Emergency Grant to assist about 220 individuals affected by the closure of the Kewaunee Power Station in Kewaunee, Wis.

"These workers have specialized job skills needed in the nuclear power industry, and this federal funding will provide a range of re-employment services and opportunities," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Eric Seleznow.

Date of Action: Aug. 16, 2013

Name(s) of Defendant(s): 800 West Salon Inc. retirement savings plan

NEW YORK — The trustees of the pension plan, annuity fund and vacation fund of Exhibition Employees Local 829 of the International Association of Theatrical Stage Employees in New York repaid a total of $2,256,817, with an additional $50,000 scheduled to be paid, to the funds following a consent judgment, which came after a U.S. Department of Labor investigation revealed numerous violations of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.

Date of Action: Aug. 5, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Names of Defendants: DTK Computer Inc., DTK Computer Inc. 401(k) Plan

SAN FRANCISCO — The U.S. Department of Labor today awarded a grant of $332,576 to the state of Oregon to enhance and promote its Self-Employment Assistance program. The program provides entrepreneurial services for individuals eligible to receive regular unemployment compensation as well as individuals eligible to receive Emergency Unemployment Compensation.

WASHINGTON — A $250,000 National Emergency Grant announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor will assist West Virginians with cleanup and recovery efforts following the severe storms and flooding that struck the state on June 13, 2013.

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 Aug. 27-29. During the open meeting Advisory Council members will hear testimony from invited witnesses and receive an update on Employee Benefits Security Administration activities. The EBSA update is scheduled for the morning of Aug. 28, subject to change.

SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA In the week ending August 10, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 320,000, a decrease of 15,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 335,000. The 4-week moving average was 332,000, a decrease of 4,000 from the previous week's revised average of 336,000.

Date of Action: Aug. 5, 2013

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Name of Defendant: Celebration Events, Inc.

Allegations: The Celebrations Events, Inc. 401(k) plan was established in January 2006 to provide retirement benefits for employees of Celebration Events, Inc. of Woburn, Mass. The company ceased operations in or around 2010.

WASHINGTON — A $380,168 National Emergency Grant was announced today by the U.S. Department of Labor to provide employment-related services to about 65 workers affected by layoffs at AAR Mobility Systems in Cadillac, Mich.

"The department's funding will give these Michigan workers the opportunity find new jobs in expanding sectors within the state," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Employment and Training Eric Seleznow.

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $500,000 National Emergency Grant increment to assist Rhode Island with continued cleanup and recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricane Sandy.

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today launched a new online tool for the mining industry. The S&S Rate Calculator enables mine operators who implement a corrective action program to determine if their mine is successfully reducing its significant and substantial, or S&S, violations.

S&S violations are violations of a mandatory health or safety standard that "significantly and substantially contributes to the cause and effect of a coal or other mine safety or health hazard."

Date of Action: Aug. 5, 2013

Type of Action: Complaint

Name(s) of Defendant: Van Buren Automotive Products 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan