labor lawAdivision of labor law center

Under a Minnesota law taking effect on January 1, 2009, employers must pay benefits for any workers who do not have a certificate showing they are an independent contractor.

The Minnesota Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC) law requires individuals who work as independent contractors in the construction industry, to obtain a certificate from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. The law does not apply to individuals doing business as corporations, LLCs or partnerships.

Contractors who employ individuals who do not have an ICEC must pay state workers’ compensation and unemployment insurance for those individuals. In addition, such workers are considered employees legally and all state and federal employment laws, including minimum wage, overtime and worker safety standards, apply.

The law was designed to (more…)

Employers have received fair warning from theWashington Division of Labor & Industry that they must update Washington labor law posters before January 1, 2009. The agency reports that a number of companies are not in compliance. In particular, several have neglected to update their federal labor law posters since the increase on July 24, 2008.

Although the Washington minimum wage is higher than the federal minimum wage, federal law still requires that Washington employers prominently display the federal poster, as well as state posters.

The required Washington labor law posters include:   (more…)

According to a report just issued by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or BLS, employers have succeeded in reducing workplace injuries.

Required safety posters, on display at every workplace, are one of the tools that have made this achievement possible.

According to the BLS, the rate of workplace injuries and illnesses declined for the fifth consecutive year.

When accidents do occur, employers can report them, and plan corrective actions, using the Accident/Injury Report.  

The U.S. Department of Labor reports that approximately 4 million work-related injuries and illnesses occurred in 2007.  This translates to a rate of 4.2 nonfatal injuries for each 100 full-time employees. That rate is a 4.5% reduction from the 4.4 injuries per 100 in 2006.

Every employer is required to (more…)

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…)

OSHA has announced public hearings on the controversial new personal protective equipment and employee training requirements regulations.

Many employers have questions or concerns regarding the most recent OSHA regulations. In an effort to allow business owners to air grievances, and take part in the process of formulating new regulations, the agency will hold hearings in October.

OSHA will hold public hearings on the new PPE and employee training requirements  in Washington, D.C. on (more…)