August 28, 2014

OSHA News Release: OSHA cites Douglass Colony Group Inc. for 11 violations; exposes workers to asbestos and fines total $81,000 [08/28/2014]

DENVER — Commercial roofer Douglass Colony Group Inc. was cited for four repeat and seven serious violations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for failing to protect workers from exposure to asbestos at a Denver work site. Proposed penalties total $81,000.

August 28, 2014

OPA News Release: Statement on Labor Day by US Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez [08/28/2014]

WASHINGTON — Each year, Labor Day gives us an opportunity to recognize the invaluable contributions that working men and women make to our nation, our economy and our collective prosperity. It gives us a chance to show gratitude for workers' grit, dedication, ingenuity and strength, which define our nation's character. At the Labor Department, it also provides an opportunity to reflect on how we can best serve and honor workers in return.

August 28, 2014

MSHA News Release: MSHA announces results of July impact inspections [08/28/2014]

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today announced that federal inspectors issued 190 citations and eight orders during special impact inspections conducted at 15 coal mines and three metal and nonmetal mines in July.

The monthly inspections, which began in force in April 2010 following the explosion at the Upper Big Branch Mine, involve mines that merit increased agency attention and enforcement due to their poor compliance history or particular compliance concerns.

August 27, 2014

Independent fiduciary appointed for abandoned benefit plan after US Labor Department suit

NEW YORK – The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has appointed an independent fiduciary to administer an abandoned pension benefit plan, resolving a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor.

August 27, 2014

WHD News Release: Costa Solutions to pay more than $146K in overtime back wages following US Labor Department investigation [08/27/2014]

Warehouse service provider to the HEB grocery chain to pay 63 workers

SAN ANTONIO — Costa Solutions LLC, a warehouse service provider to the HEB grocery chain, has agreed to pay $146,459 in overtime back wages to 63 current and former employees after an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division.

August 27, 2014

OSHA News Release: Champion Roofing fined $48K for 2 willful safety violations after workers exposed to dangerous fall hazards in Bradley, Illinois [08/27/2014]

BRADLEY, Ill. — Employees at a construction site in Bradley were expected to work on a low-sloped roof, 13 feet above the ground without the recommended means of fall protection. Champion Roofing Inc. has been cited for two willful safety violations for exposing workers to these fall hazards by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration. OSHA has proposed $48,400 penalties for the violations. The Bensenville, Illinois-based company has been cited by OSHA five times in the past five years for exposing workers to fall hazards.

August 27, 2014

EBSA News Release: Independent fiduciary appointed for abandoned benefit plan after US Labor Department suit [08/27/2014]

NEW YORK — The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York has appointed an independent fiduciary to administer an abandoned pension benefit plan, resolving a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Labor.

August 26, 2014

OSHA News Release: OSHA cites DiMeo Brothers for exposing workers to falls, trench cave-ins while installing storm sewers in Glenview, Illinois [08/26/2014]

GLENVIEW, Ill. — Two employees of DiMeo Brothers Inc. were observed on April 14 working in a 25 foot-deep trench without adequate cave-in protection while installing storm sewers for the Village of Glenview. The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited the sewer and water contractor for one willful and two serious safety violations carrying proposed penalties of $44,660.

August 26, 2014

EBSA News Release: Keene, Texas, business owner sued by US Labor Department for more than $160K in missing retirement contributions [08/26/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor has sued Kelly Bailey, owner of SCK Management Services Inc., doing business as PROS Rehabilitation, in an effort to recover approximately $136,484 in missing employee retirement contributions and approximately $24,464 in losses from appreciation accruing on those missing funds. The department's lawsuit, filed in U.S.

August 25, 2014

OSHA News Release: Pritchard, Alabama, lumber producer cited for exposing workers to fall and amputation hazards [08/25/2014]

PRITCHARD, Ala. — An inspection initiated in June 2014 by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration found that workers at PJ Lumber Co. were exposed to falls, amputations and other hazards. The company, which manufactures finished lumber products for resale, has been cited for 13 serious safety and health violations found at the company's lumber mill on Stephens Road in Pritchard. Proposed penalties total $50,085.

August 21, 2014

OSHA News Release: 2 workers injured following explosion at Indianhead Biomass Services; willful and serious safety violations cited [08/21/2014]

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — Two employees were injured following an explosion at Indianhead Explorations LLC, doing business as Indianhead Biomass Services, permanently disabling one employee and causing the other to suffer a leg injury. Following the March 2014 incident, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration cited the employer with two willful and seven serious safety violations.

August 21, 2014

OSHA News Release: Employees of The Preservation Society of Newport County exposed to lead and fall hazards at Bellevue Avenue mansion in Newport, Rhode Island [08/21/2014]

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — Employees of The Preservation Society of Newport County were exposed to lead and potentially fatal falls while scraping and abrasively removing lead-based paint from an outbuilding at the Newport mansion known as Chateau-sur-Mer, reports the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

August 21, 2014

OSHA News Release: 2 workers injured by machine hazards in separate incidents at Hicksville, Ohio, telecommunication tower manufacturing plant [08/21/2014]

HICKSVILLE, Ohio — FWT LLC has been cited for one repeat and one serious safety violation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration after two employees were injured in separate incidents at the company's Hicksville facility, which manufactures telecommunication towers. OSHA has proposed penalties of $45,500 for exposing the workers to amputation hazards.

August 21, 2014

MSHA News Release: MSHA announces $8.3M in state grant funding [08/21/2014]

ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration announced today that it has allocated $8,348,423 in health and safety training grants for 46 states and the Navajo Nation in fiscal year 2014.

August 20, 2014

More than $59,300 to be restored to Nickson’s Machine Shop 401(k) Savings Plan in Santa Maria, Calif. under consent judgment obtained by US Labor Department

Date of Action: July 29, 2014

Type of Action: Consent Judgment and Order

Names of Defendants: Nickson’s Machine Shop Inc.; Dennis W. Leal; Nickson’s Machine Shop 401(k) Savings Plan

August 20, 2014

WHD News Release: US Department of Labor obtains injunction to prevent Nashua, New Hampshire, employer from intimidating employees in wage lawsuit [08/20/2014]

CONCORD, N.H. — The U.S. Department of Labor has secured a preliminary injunction against Nashua painting contractor Kevin Corriveau Painting Inc., and its officers and agents, to prevent them from intimidating, retaliating or discriminating against current or former employees involved in a federal investigation and lawsuit.

August 20, 2014

OSHA News Release: OSHA cites Gonzalez Stucco & Stone for serious safety hazards; more than $54,000 in fines proposed [08/20/2014]

AUBURN, Ala. — Based in Auburn, Gonzalez Stucco & Stone LLC has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for four repeat and one serious safety violation following an inspection at a residential construction site at 283 Bentley Court. The agency initiated the June 2014 inspection as part of its National Emphasis Program on Falls. Proposed penalties total $54,120.

August 20, 2014

OSHA News Release: OSHA orders Hanford nuclear facility contractor to reinstate worker fired for raising environmental safety concerns [08/20/2014]

SEATTLE — A contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's Hanford nuclear facility in Washington state has been ordered to reinstate an environmental specialist and pay more than $220,000 in back wages and other expenses after it fired the employee for voicing nuclear and environmental safety concerns, a violation of federal whistleblower provisions.

August 20, 2014

EBSA News Release: Labor Department requests information on use of brokerage windows in 401(k) plans [08/20/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today published a request for information on the use of brokerage windows, self-directed brokerage accounts and similar features in 401(k)-type plans. The RFI will appear in the Aug. 21 edition of the Federal Register and can also be viewed at https://federalregister.gov/a/2014-19832.

August 19, 2014

Judge appoints independent fiduciary to distribute assets of Universal Custom Process Inc. 401(k) Plan in Toledo, Ohio

Date of Action: Aug. 4, 2014

Type of Action: Consent Order and Judgment

Names of Defendants: John W. Hufgard, Universal Custom Process Inc. 401(k) Retirement Plan