May 22, 2014

OWCP News Release: US Department of Labor notifies former Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply Co. employees of inclusion in EEOICPA Special Exposure Cohort [05/22/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor is notifying all former employees of Joslyn Manufacturing and Supply Co. about a new class of employees added to the Special Exposure Cohort of the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program Act. The EEOICPA provides compensation and medical benefits to workers who became ill because of working in the nuclear weapons industry. Survivors of qualified workers also may be entitled to benefits.

May 22, 2014

WHD News Release: Contractors on federally funded New York City construction project ordered to pay more than $656,000 to 37 constructions workers [05/22/2014]

NEW YORK — Enviro & Demo Masters Inc. and Gladiators Contracting Corp., along with the companies' owner Jover Naranjo and foreman Luperio Naranjo Sr., have been ordered to pay a total of $656,646 to 37 workers after failing to pay them the required prevailing wage rates and fringe benefits on a federally funded construction project in New York City. Due to the extent and willful nature of the violations, all parties have been ordered to be debarred from seeking and obtaining federal contracts for a three-year period.

May 22, 2014

OSHA News Release: Allied Powder Coating cited for 15 safety and health violations by US Department of Labor's OSHA; proposed fines total $55,440 [05/22/2014]

HOUSTON—  Outdoor Furniture Refinishing Inc., doing business as Allied Powder Coating, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 15 serious health and safety violations with a proposed fine of $55,440. OSHA cited the sandblasting and powder coating company for exposing workers to toxic chemicals, including silica, beyond established occupational limits.

May 22, 2014

EBSA News Release: Federal judge issues consent judgment ordering Oregon realtor to repay $420,127 to profit-sharing plan, following US Labor Department investigation [05/22/2014]

PORTLAND, Ore. — Pursuant to a consent judgment entered into by the U.S. Department of Labor, Portland-based Georgetown Realty Inc., the company's owner, John Mahaffy, and the Georgetown Realty Inc. Profit Sharing Plan and Trust, will pay $420,127 to the plan for losses due to imprudent real estate investments directed by Mahaffy.

May 21, 2014

WHD News Release: US Department of Labor investigation finds $55,186 in unpaid wages for 11 workers installing fire protection systems at Kinneary US Courthouse [05/21/2014]

COLUMBUS, Ohio — An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has determined that McLean, Va.-based The CFP Group Inc. failed to pay $55,186 in prevailing wage rates, fringe benefits, minimum wage and overtime to 11 workers in violation of the Davis-Bacon and Related Acts, the Contract Work Hours and Safety Standards Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.

May 21, 2014

WHD News Release: US Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division to offer free compliance seminar in Danbury, Conn., on June 5, 2014 [05/21/2014]

DANBURY, Conn. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division will offer a comprehensive compliance seminar for employers, community rehabilitation programs and other stakeholders on the rules governing the payment of workers with disabilities under Section 14(c) of the Fair Labor Standards Act. The seminar will be held June 5 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT at the Western Connecticut State University, Midtown Student Center, 181 White St., Danbury, Conn. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. There is no charge to attend.

May 21, 2014

OSHA News Release: Manhattan jewelry and accessories chain cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA for fire and other safety hazards [05/21/2014]

NEW YORK — A Manhattan-based women's jewelry and accessories maker faces $47,600 in proposed penalties from the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for exposing workers to blocked exits, fire and safety hazards at its 254 W. 35th St. location. In response to a complaint alleging unsafe workplace conditions, Natasha Accessories Ltd. was cited for eight serious and three repeat violations, following an inspection by OSHA's Manhattan Area Office that began on Feb. 7.

May 21, 2014

EBSA News Release: US Labor Department sues to reinstate Los Angeles union employee [05/21/2014]

LOS ANGELES — The U.S. Department of Labor has filed a lawsuit on behalf of a former Cement Masons Southern California Administrative Corp. employee who was allegedly fired for cooperating with an ongoing department investigation. The corporation managed assets for five Cement Masons employee benefits trusts in southern California.

May 20, 2014

Department of Labor Obtains Judgment to recover more than $28,000 to the Sister Rosalind Gefre Employee Retirement Plan in Minneapolis

Date of Action:  May 19, 2014

Type of Action:  Consent Order and Judgment

Names of Defendant: Sister Rosalind Gefre Schools and Clinics of Massage Inc., Peter Fahnlander and Larry Hanson, individually, and as fiduciaries to the Sister Rosalind Gefre Employee Retirement Plan.

May 20, 2014

OSHA News Release: After explosion, US Department of Labor's OSHA cites 3-D printing firm for exposing workers to combustible metal powder, electrical hazards [05/20/2014]

ANDOVER, Mass. — Powderpart Inc., a Woburn 3-D printing company, was cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for one willful and nine serious violations of workplace safety standards. The inspection followed an explosion and fire on Nov. 5, 2013, which inflicted third-degree burns on a company employee.

May 20, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA partners with general contractor VCC to help protect workers during Arkansas State University construction project [05/20/2014]

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The health and safety of workers during the construction of Arkansas State University's student activity center in Jonesboro is the goal of a new strategic partnership formed today between the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration and general contractor VCC LLC.

May 20, 2014

OSHA News Release: Nicholson Terminal & Dock Co. cited by US Department of Labor's OSHA after worker fatally struck by forklift at Detroit marine terminal [05/20/2014]

DETROIT — Following the death of a worker who was hit by a forklift , the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration has cited Nicholson Terminal & Dock Co. with nine — including two willful and seven serious — safety violations. The incident occurred Nov. 19, 2013, at the Detroit marine terminal when the worker was struck by a 62,000-pound-capacity forklift carrying a 40,000-pound steel coil.

May 20, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA proposes $51,800 in fines for Power Coatings for failing to protect workers from toxic chemical hazards [05/20/2014]

JANESEVILLE, Wis. — Power Coatings LLC, a company that specializes in powder coating metal parts, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 14 serious safety violations, including failing to protect workers from toxic substances, which can cause cancer, lung impairment and other diseases. OSHA has proposed penalties of $51,800 following a December 2013 complaint inspection of Power Coatings' Janesville facility.

May 20, 2014

OSHA News Release: US Department of Labor's OSHA cites Tortillas Ricas LP for serious health and safety violations with $48,300 in fines [05/20/2014]

LUBBOCK, Texas — Tortillas Ricas LP, doing business as Casa Rica Tortillas, has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 13 serious safety and health violations with proposed fines of $48,300. OSHA cited the corn tortilla manufacturer for exposing workers to unguarded machines and electrical hazards and for failing to implement lockout/tagout procedures to protect workers who service or maintain machines.

May 19, 2014

WHD News Release: Paul Johnson Drywall Inc. agrees to pay $600,000 in back wages, damages and penalties following US Labor Department investigation [05/19/2014]

PHOENIX — As a result of a Wage and Hour investigation, Paul Johnson Drywall Inc. severed its relationship with Arizona Tract LLC., a construction labor contractor. Beginning April 2013, Paul Johnson Drywall entered into a contract with Arizona Tract for the provision of drywall labor. Arizona Tract classified former Paul Johnson Drywall workers as "member/owners" instead of employees, which stripped them of basic worker protections afforded to employees.

May 19, 2014

OSHA News Release: Workers exposed to dangerous silica dust at Omaha stone-cutting facility [05/19/2014]

OMAHA, Neb. — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration fined Baltazar's Stone Inc. $40,921 for exposing workers to dangerous silica dust levels and other hazards at the Omaha stone-cutting facility. Silica exposure can cause silicosis, an irreversible lung disease, and other health hazards. OSHA began the inspection Nov. 27, 2013, after receiving a complaint. The inspection resulted in 15 violations.

May 19, 2014

OSHA News Release: Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway ordered by US Department of Labor's OSHA to pay more than $526,000 to terminated workers [05/19/2014]

DENVER — Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway has been ordered to pay more than $526,000 in back wages and other damages to two workers following an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

May 19, 2014

ETA News Release: Mass. workers affected by layoffs from four companies in Middlesex County to receive assistance from the US Labor Department [05/19/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an $876,300 National Emergency Grant to assist approximately 120 workers affected by layoffs at four companies in Middlesex County, Mass.

May 19, 2014

ETA News Release: Ala. workers displaced by the closure of International Paper to receive assistance from the US Labor Department [05/19/2014]

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,816,666 National Emergency Grant to assist approximately 450 workers affected by the closure of International Paper Co.'s facility located in Courtland, Ala.

May 19, 2014

WHD News Release: Paul Johnson Drywall Inc. agrees to pay $600,000 in back wages, damages and penalties following US Labor Department investigation [05/19/2014]

PHOENIX — As a result of a Wage and Hour investigation, Paul Johnson Drywall Inc. severed its relationship with Arizona Tract LLC., a construction labor contractor. Beginning April 2013, Paul Johnson Drywall entered into a contract with Arizona Tract for the provision of drywall labor. Arizona Tract classified former Paul Johnson Drywall workers as "member/owners" instead of employees, which stripped them of basic worker protections afforded to employees.