labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Police say a press operator in rural western Kentucky killed his supervisor and four coworkers before turning the gun on himself on June 25, 2008.

According to news reports, 25-year-old Wesley Higdon of Henderson had a dispute with his supervisor on the assembly line. The worker left, calling his girlfriend to tell her that he wanted to kill his boss. The girlfriend didn’t call police or warn anyone.

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A new online tool unveiled by the US Department of Labor aims to simplify recordkeeping, reporting and notice requirements for employers. Employers – especially small business owners — have long criticized the federal government because they claimed it was nearly impossible to sort out  which regulations applied to their business.

The FirstStep Recordkeeping, Reporting and Notices elaws Advisor was rolled out last month.

“These internet tools will make it easier for small business employers to learn about a d comply with the federal laws that apply to them, “ said Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao.

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Police in Illinois report two dead in another incident of violence in the workplace. On June 24 2008, a gunman entered the building and shot a woman. In turn, he was fatally wounded by police as he tried to escape from the building.

Episodes of workplace violence underscore the fact that employers should be prepared, according to OSHA. Along with plans for fire, flood and earthquake, every employer should have a procedure to handle violence.

The man apparently entered the Dolton business shortly after 2 pm and took the woman hostage. She was able to set off the panic alarm, which silently alerted police to a robbery or other crisis situation.

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 The US Department of Labor, Employee Benefits Security Administration or EBSA has extended the filing deadlines for employer sin a number of states affected by severe weather. Employers should note that the extensions apply only to operations affected by the weather, in regions that have been declared disaster areas by President Bush. Other employers in the areas must file as usual.

The extensions apply to Form 5500 or Form 5500 EZ employer tax documents. Employers should check Part I on Form 5500 or Part 1 on Form 5500 EZ, and attach a statement.

The extensions affect plan administrators, employers and others who regularly file Form 5500.

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OSHA recently released new standards for combustible dust safety.  The standards can be found at www.osha.gove/dsg/combustibledust/index.heml.

“Fires and explosions resulting from combustible dust can pose a significant danger in the workplace,” according to Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Edwin G. Foulke Jr. “This new safety and health topics page is part of a long-term, ongoing program in OSHA to address these hazards and assure safe and healthful working conditions.

The standards are partly in response to a deadly explosion at a Georgia sugar refinery. Four people died in the blast near Savannah in February.

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