labor lawAdivision of labor law center

With All - Terrain Vehicles, being used more and more in industry, it was perhaps, only a matter of time before tragedy struck. Many employers are happy to use t0he vehicles in industry, but do not realize that with no training in the use of ATVs, or safety precautions in place, that serious injury or death can occur.

It was a tragic accident that instigated this Arkansas OSHA alert.

Yet it was an accident that could have been prevented with some thought and training. ATVs are a source of quick transport across rough terrain, and are often used to carry cargo or modified to pull machinery.

Employers need to know that when you use what is primarily a recreational vehicle for industrial purposes, the outcome can be tragic. These vehicles are used for recreation by adults and children, and it may be this false sense of security that can lead to carelessness on the side of both employer and worker.

Employers need to take responsibility for providing adequate training on the use of ATVs for their workers. Also, both employer and worker need to understand how to operate the vehicle properly and according to the manufacture’s instruction manual. This includes only using the vehicle for the purpose it was designed for.

ATVs can become unstable when carrying cargo, or if they have been modified, by, for example, having extra machinery attached to the back of the vehicle.

This was the case of a tragic ATV related accident involving a worker who was spraying crops with herbicide. The sprayer was attached to the back of the ATV, and when it was driven uphill, it became unstable and the front wheels lifted off the ground. The worker tried to shift her weight in an attempt to stop the ATV from overturning. The vehicle turned over, and the worker was crushed when she attempted to jump clear, and died.

With recreational ATV related injuries topping 136,100, employers need to do all that they can to ensure the safety of their workers when ATVs are used in industry.

The Arkansas OSHA urges employers to make sure their Slips, Trips, and Falls poster are up-to-date. Slips, trips and falls account for 15% of accidental deaths. Only motor vehicle accidents cause more fatalities in the workplace.

By placing up-to-date Slips, Trips, Falls posters in an easily seen place, it is hoped that employees will be reminded to mop up every spill. The OSHA has issued revised standards. These refer to working and walking surfaces that are in use in permanent places of employment. Domestic, mining and agricultural work areas are exempt, as long as this is the only work activity that is carried out in the place of work.

Slips, trips and falls can be prevented by good housekeeping in the place of employment. Particular attention should be played to work areas, storerooms, service areas and passageways. These should be maintained in a clean and uncluttered manner.

Floors should be kept as dry and clean as is possible under the working conditions. If the area is used for wet processes, raised platforms should be provided, or alternatively mats or grating. Drains must be kept clear.

In workplaces where mechanical equipment is used, the aisle or passageways should be wide enough for two people to pass. In all cases, passageways and aisles must be kept in good repair. There should be no loose boards, splinters, holes or nails that could cause injury. The passages and aisles should be kept clear, with no obstructions or unnecessary vehicle traffic. This is particularly important if the passageway is used as an emergency exit. Many slips, trips or falls occur when workers need to leave the building quickly.

It is a good idea for employers to instigate a safety awareness program for their workers as well as displaying a Slips Trips Falls poster, to ensure that they do not fall victim or accidents or injury.

It wasn’t difficult to find the Arkansas (AR) labor laws on the internet. Several of them are similar in nature to many of the other states’ labor laws. You can find the AR labor laws on posters found throughout businesses in the state. These posters of the AR labor laws are required to be displayed throughout the workplace where employees have easy access to them. Many times an employer will post these around a time clock or in a break area. 

The easiest of the AR labor laws to find was the minimum wage law. The minimum wage currently is $5.15 an hour, but is scheduled to increase to $6.25 on October 1, 2006. This minimum wage law applies to all employers who have 4 or more persons working for them. There are exceptions to this law, so the minimum wage doesn’t apply to executives, farm laborers and students working in a job training program. 

There is also an overtime labor law in the state of Arkansas. A full work week consists of 40 hours, so any hours worked above that gets a higher rate of pay. At this time, Arkansas’s labor law has overtime set at one and one half times for any hours worked over 40. This overtime law does not apply to agricultural workers or for employers who have under 4 employees working for them. 

Another of the many labor laws in this state is the Equal Pay Act. It doesn’t allow employers to pay a woman less than a man for comparable work. This law doesn’t change the various pay rates because of seniority or experience, though. 

There are many other AR Labor Laws! You can find them on the many Arkansas Labor Law posters. Or you can find the Arkansas state labor law posters as well as several required federal labor law posters on one convenient Arkansas Complete Labor Law Poster. 

AR laws pertaining to employment cover quite a few aspects such as safety, discrimination, payment of wages, and more. Both Arizona employers and employees are required to know this information. 

AR laws require employers to follow standard safety procedures on the job. For example, regulations that monitor elevators, wheelchair lifts, and escalators must be checked periodically. In addition, CPR classes must be taught to a maximum of six people per instructor. 

According to AR laws women cannot be fired because she is pregnant or because she had an abortion. Likewise Arizona employers must not discriminate against anyone on the basis of skin color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, age, or other personal identifier. In other cases employees can be terminated with or without cause. 

AR laws state that OSHA consultation services are available at no charge to small businesses. Parts of these services include surveying of a small employer’s work site and pointing out any safety concerns. Larger corporations also take these safety concerns into consideration. 

Other employment issues that AR laws cover are the payment of wages. For example, employees who have been terminated must be paid within seven days if that employee has demanded payment. In other cases payment must be made on the regularly scheduled payday. 

If a state is in a discrepancy about which of the above AR laws to follow they are advised to follow the ones that are the strictest. The laws that businesses must abide by are also determined by the size of a business. 

Therefore, Arkansas employers who make more than $500,000 a year are subject to federal law. Those who make less than that but have four or more employees is subject to state wage and hour laws. 

It is important for both employees and employers to state update. New information is provided about AR laws periodically. 

The Arkansas Department of Labor governs and regulates many aspects of labor laws in Arkansas. These laws are not limited to only payment of wages or child labor laws. The department is an integral part of the State of Arkansas when it comes to the workplace. The offices works to answer questions and to help solve problems that arises between workers and their employees. All parties involved can contact this office for help or to find answers to specific work-related labor law issues.

Another important part of regulating labor laws in Arkansas include looking at violations set forth by OSHA. The Department of Labor offers companies fee OSHA consultations to make sure that building codes are enforced and that all companies are operating in a safe and healthful way. Small companies will receive top priority when requesting these services. These services are important to help employers find and recognize safety and health concerns in the workplace. The department can also offer advice and help implementing new safely programs. Employers can request posters, brochures, and literature and education packets to help them comply with OSHA regulations.

Workers might have many questions when they run into problems regarding labor laws in Arkansas. When they feel that they cannot ask help from their employer, they can contact the department of labor. For example, an employee may feel he or she has been discriminated against in the workplace. They might feel uncomfortable talking to their employer about this issue. The department of labor can help. Both the state and federal laws prohibit any type of discrimination in the work place. This includes discrimination against age, race, religion, sex, or disability. The department of labor recommends that any person feeling as though they are being discriminated against to contact an attorney and contact the department of labor or assistance.