BRANSON, MO ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Royal Oak Enterprises for exposing employees to multiple safety and health hazards at company facilities in Branson and Summersville, Missouri. The charcoal manufacturer faces $339,702 in penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today published a memorandum announcing the creation of the Protecting Employees, Enabling Reemployment (PEER) Initiative. The Initiative serves as an opportunity for agencies to recommit to a safety and health-conscious federal workforce that can receive needed timely benefits through a modern and efficient workers’ compensation system.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia traveled to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to highlight workforce development and economic opportunity during a visit to Rockwell Automation. Secretary Scalia toured Rockwell Automation’s new manufacturing line that is set to open in spring 2020 and met with veteran candidates from the company’s Academy of Advanced Manufacturing workforce training program.

DALLAS, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Damage Prevention Council of Texas (DPC) signed an alliance designed to educate employers and employees in all 254 counties in Texas about the hazards associated with trenching and excavation.

MORGANTOWN, WV – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and PJ Dick Inc. have partnered to promote worker safety during the construction of Reynolds Hall – the future home to the new John Chambers College of Business and Economics at West Virginia University – in Morgantown, West Virginia.

FORT MILL, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Simpson Electric Co. – a residential electric company based in Fort Mill, South Carolina – has paid $21,500 in back wages to 116 employees for violating overtime requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

CHARLESTON, SC – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Tara of Charleston LLC – a Charleston, South Carolina-area company operating a Holiday Inn – has paid $58,233 in back wages and liquidated damages to 55 employees for violating overtime and recordkeeping requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs (OWCP) has taken steps to reform the self-insurance process for coal mine operators to better support the Black Lung Disability Trust Fund.

PHENIX CITY, AL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Jaime Martinez Hernandez – a residential framing contractor based in Phenix City, Alabama – for exposing employees to fall and struck-by hazards at two Alabama worksites. The contractor faces $240,880 in penalties.

WILMINGTON, DE – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Dana Rail Care for workplace safety and health hazards at the facility in Wilmington, Delaware. The company faces $371,276 in penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia announced a series of management decisions, including his first Secretary's Orders since his confirmation in September 2019.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis National Health Emergency Dislocated Worker Grant for up to $6,281,891 – with $2,093,964 released initially – awarded to the Maine Department of Labor. The grant will support disaster-relief jobs and provide employment services to eligible individuals in Maine communities affected by the health and economic impact of widespread opioid use, addiction and overdose.

CUMMING, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Garick LLC – operating as Smith Garden Products – for exposing employees to safety hazards at the Cumming, Georgia, facility. The manufacturer of specialty mulch products faces $148,867 in penalties.

In the week ending February 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 210,000, an increase of 4,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 205,000 to 206,000. The 4-week moving average was 209,000, a decrease of 3,250 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 212,000 to 212,250.

CHARLOTTE, NC – After a routine compliance evaluation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP), Time Warner Cable LCC – a large telecommunications company – and the department have entered into an early resolution conciliation agreement. As a result, the company will pay $745,000 in back wages and interest to resolve hiring discrimination violations found at three company facilities. Time Warner Cable did not admit any wrongdoing.  

RALEIGH, NC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the awarding of grants to 28 public-private apprenticeship partnerships totaling nearly $100 million through the Apprenticeship: Closing the Skills Gap grant program. These grants will support large-scale expansions of apprenticeship in industries including advanced manufacturing, healthcare and information technology.

NAPERVILLE, IL ‒ The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited DB Custom Carpentry LLC – based in Aurora, Illinois – for exposing employees to falls. The homebuilder faces penalties of $333,968 for three willful and one repeat safety violations.

SLIDELL, LA – After an investigation by the a U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Superior Air Conditioning and Heating LLC – based in Slidell, Louisiana – has paid $78,038 in back wages and fringe benefits to 12 employees for violating requirements of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts (DBRA) and the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 

ALBANY, NY – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Nonni’s Foods LLC for exposing employees to falls and other hazards at the Ferndale, New York, facility. The manufacturer of premium cookies faces $221,257 in penalties.

In the week ending February 8, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 205,000, an increase of 2,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 202,000 to 203,000. The 4-week moving average was 212,000, unchanged from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 211,750 to 212,000.