labor lawAdivision of labor law center

In response to a number of fatal accidents involving cranes, OSHA announced new regulations regarding crane and derrick safety on September 18. Employers can comment on the regulations published in the Federal Register, however, OSHA reserves the right to adopt the regulations as is without further notice.

A complete copy of the new regulations is available here.

“The cranes and derricks proposed rule (more…)

Alaska employers are invited to comment on new workers’ compensation regulations proposed by Labor Commissioner Clark “Click” Bishop.

The Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development recently proposed new regulations aimed at making workers’ compensation hearings more ethical.

Workers’  compensation hearings are held when the employer or employee does not agree with the original finding. Often, this is because an employee is denied workers’ compensation and feels that he or she was entitled to it.

Under the proposed regulations, a new (more…)

The Alabama Department of Labor recently took the opportunity to remind employers that with school in session, new regulations apply to those who employee workers under the age of 19.

The regulations take effect on the first day of school, so the date will be slightly different in various areas.

All minors under 18 must have work permits to be legally employed. Permits are issued at all city and county Boards of Education, and at many high schools in the state. Many private schools also issue permits.

According to the Alabama Department of Labor, violations to the state child labor laws (more…)

In addition to releasing new regulations on combustible dust for many industries, OSHA just levied one of the largest worker safety fines in history, against a sugar refinery for violating the regulations.

OSHA issued citations with penalties totaling $8,777,500 against Imperial Sugar Co. and two affiliates. This is the third largest fine in OSHA history.

The fines are for violations at sugar plants in Port Wentworth, Georgia, and Louisiana. After the tragic February 7, 2008 explosion that claimed 13 lives at the Port Wentworth refinery near Savannah, 40 other employees were hospitalized. Three employees are still in the hospital. On rescue worker described the fiery scene “like walking into hell.”

Officials at the Gramercy, Louisiana plant should not have been surprised by the OSHA inspection. The agency has a history of inspecting other plants belonging to the same company, after a serious accident.

OSHA’s inspection showed that (more…)

Employers should be aware of two new required US Department of Labor initiatives to promote the hiring of veterans and protect the rights of applicants with disabilities.

Both initiatives were introduced through the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs, or OFCCP. This agency enforces regulations that apply to companies with federal contracts in excess of $50,000.

The Good Faith Initiative for Veterans Employment, also known as G-FIVE will help (more…)