labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Every Alabama employer should be prepared for an influenza pandemic, or a worldwide outbreak. That’s right, the OSHA wants everyone to be prepared in case of an influenza pandemic. Should you panic? No. You should, however, make a plan just in case, as you would for a fire, severe storm or power outage. It may seem unlikely to you, but the flu we have come to know could change into something we aren’t immune to. That is how an outbreak could occur.

The Alabama OSHA alert about a possible flu pandemic, is nothing to ignore and nothing to get upset about. Should a new strain of the virus emerge, is could spread from person to person across the globe. So far, we haven’t had a mutation of the flu virus or anything to that effect, so everything is fine, to date. Thank goodness! That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t have a plan. It is true that disasters can occur suddenly, so please understand the need for preparation.

Did you know that there was a flu outbreak not to far back in history? Towards the end of the first World War, in 1918, millions died of the Spanish Flu over the course of 18 months. This pandemic swiped away the lives of 50 to 100 million people! Of course the war claimed the lives of many as well, about 9 million soldiers, but we lost many more to the outbreak, unfortunately.

Imagine a pandemic: grocery stores will be hectic, as consumers purchase needed materials. Many supplies, like hand sanitizer and tissues, may be in short supply. Healthcare facilities and clinics might become overloaded. However, some companies may experience an abrupt decline. For instance, malls, restaurants and movie theaters will likely be nearly empty, as people elect to stay home, shop online and download movies. Since the flu is contagious, it would probably be a wise decision to stay at home.

Think of ATVs and you usually think of weekend fun. But All-Terrain Vehicles are seeing greater use in the workplace, and with that comes a trend that’s anything but fun. ATV accidents and fatalities on the job are increasing.

An Alabama OSHA alert says the accidents and fatalities are up partly because of the increased use of the sport vehicles on the job. They’re used in construction, facilities management, police work, and agriculture.

In fact, there are a number of reasons why accident and fatality rates are up:

ATVs handle differently from a car or bicycle. They are not easy to drive. Combine low-pressure fat tires with handlebars and you’ve got a combination that can result in trouble.

They have a tendency to turn over on slopes or during sharp cornering.

Sometimes they’re overloaded. They’re designed to carry one driver and no passengers, and don’t have the ability to carry equipment. With overloading, flips on inclines become more of a danger.

The Alabama OSHA alert stresses that drivers should adhered to the manufacturer’s operational guidelines for weight limit and numbers of passengers when driving an ATV. Here are some guidelines to keep in mind. First, wear a helmet. Second, receive training to operate an ATV, because even if you are licensed for car or truck operation, the ATV will handle differently. OSHA has a set of guidelines for off-road motorized vehicle with low-pressure tires, handlebars for steering, and a seat straddled by the driver. The vehicle may also include a storage rack at back or front for limited carrying.

OSHA’s numbers show that since 1992 the rate of deaths on ATVs has gone up steadily until 9 years later, when 113 people died as a result of using them. Some workers were hurt badly enough to be off work for a day or more. Altogether there were 1,625 accidents in 9 years. ATV workplace deaths may soon outnumber those of recreational users. In recreational use, there were more than 800,000 injuries in the last 10 years.

I didn’t have any trouble finding the Alabama (AL) Labor Laws online. There are many of them! Detailed descriptions of many can be found on the AL Labor Laws posters. The AL Labor Laws posters are required to be hung in the workplace in one or more conspicuous areas for viewing by employees. Many times employers will place these documents in areas where workers go everyday, like break rooms and work areas. 

The first I found dealt with Workers’ Compensation for the state. It basically states that if an employee is ever injured on the job or contracts a disease directly related to his/her occupation, he/she needs to notify his/her employer. At that time, the employer will send the employee to a doctor who has been approved to give medical treatment. Then workers’ compensation will give assistance, including for mediation services. 

Another that stuck out in my mind was the Alabama Unemployment Compensation Law. There are certain instances where workers will be entitled to benefits, so long as they become unemployed through no fault of their own. In cases where they quit or are fired with cause, however, claims may be delayed or completely denied. 

I also found that one of the AL Labor Laws is called the Employee Polygraph Protection Act. In most circumstances, private employers cannot use a lie detector test on its employees as pre-hire screenings or during the course of their job. This law has some exceptions, as this device can be used on those working in National Security work or other government jobs. 

This is far from a complete view of the AL Labor Laws. If you are in need of a complete listing, you may want to check out the department of labor website. However, if you need to view these laws or you need to hang some AL Labor Laws documentation around your workplace, you may want to check out the Alabama Complete Labor Law Poster. 

AL laws pertaining to the work force help set a standard for the state of Alabama. These laws regulate safety, workers’ compensation wages, hours, and other employment issues. 

One very important aspect of safety that AL laws cover is the requirement of boiler room inspection. All businesses, schools, and other organizations must have their boiler room inspected once or twice a year unless exempt from doing so. These specific exemptions are found within Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety Act documentation. 

The owner of all non-exempt establishments are the ones responsible for making sure the boiler room inspections take place, and that that boilers are working properly. If boilers in a pressure room are not insured the owner can call a state Deputy Inspector who will be able to perform the inspection. 

AL laws require that employers who have four or more full-time or part-time workers employed by them to cover them under a workers’ compensation policy. Workers’ compensation protects companies from fraud and excess liability, and it also provides care for workers who are injured on the job. 

Employers who install a drug-free program in Alabama, AL laws will provide a workers’ compensation insurance premium discount. In order for Alabama employers to qualify for this discount they must have a written drug-free policy statement and a drug test program. In addition, employers in Alabama must have supervisor training, an employee assistance program, and an employee education program. 

AL laws also help provide a standard for wages and hours in the workplace. For example, AL laws have determined the federal standard of 5.15 per hour to be the minimum wage for the state of Alabama. In addition, Alabama laws have determined that the federal standard of time and a half pay for overtime be used. 

All Alabama citizens should read AL laws pertaining to workforce regulation. These laws help provide the best working conditions possible. 

The Alabama State mandatory posters must be posted for all employees to take notice of them.  All employers must provide this information to their employees in a location that is easy for them to see.  If you are an employer and do not have them, the state can cause some legal issues to be pursued.  As an employee, you have the right to know what these laws actually are.  Here, we’ll talk a little bit about what the requirements actually are provided for. 

For example, the Alabama State mandatory posters are provided with several bits of information.  First, you will find information about worker’s compensation, workers’ compensation fraud notice, child labor laws and information about unemployment insurance.  Most of us do not really know what these laws are, but through the use of these posters, we know what our rights are. 

As an employer, it is essential that these posters be kept up to date.  For example, if you employ teens in your establishment, it is important for you to keep up to date on the ever changing laws regarding child labor laws.  The differences for hiring 14 and 15 year olds over hiring 16, 17 and 18 year olds must be understood.  Of course, so do the laws regarding work permits. 

As the employer, it is your responsibility to stay on top of these laws as well as others that pertain to the labor laws.  The Alabama State Mandatory posters will provide this information to your employees.  It also is quite necessary and helpful in keeping you in compliance with the laws of our state.  Take a few minutes and find out if you have the latest versions of these state mandatory posters in your place of business.  Since they are updated regularly, make sure you check back often to insure you have what you must have to stay in compliance.