Business and Industry Division

RSS

Washington – Labor regulations issued during the Obama administration’s final year create a “significant burden” on industries and workers, and will lead to about $80 billion in compliance costs over the next decade, according to a recent report from the National Association of Manufacturers.

Washington – OSHA failed to follow federal rulemaking requirements when it used a memorandum to announce a revised definition of retail facilities exempt from the Process Safety Management Standard, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has ruled.

Beginning in late October, prospective federal contractors will be required to disclose previous labor-law violations. Not surprisingly, pro-industry supporters and worker advocates are divided over the regulation’s potential impact.

Oklahoma City – Jonnie Yvonne Vasquez occasionally needed to lift shoe boxes as part of her job at a department store in Oklahoma.One day, as she lifted boxes, Vasquez injured her neck and shoulder. Soon after, she filed claims for benefits. But her employer had opted out of traditional workers’ compensation, as it was entitled to do by state law, and denied Vasquez’s claims for treatment.

Washington – In a move to address so-called “midnight rules,” Republicans on the House Education and the Workforce Committee have sent a letter to Secretary of Labor Thomas Perez requesting a list of regulations and other guidance the Department of Labor intends to release by the end of President Barack Obama’s second and final term.

Austin, TX – Overweight and obese workers are more likely to incur high workers’ compensation costs related to major injuries, according to research from the University of Texas at Austin.

Vienna, VA – In conjunction with Drive Safely Work Week (Oct. 3-7), the Network of Employers for Traffic Safety is offering a free online toolkit to help employers keep workers and their families safe on the road.

New York – About four out of five U.S. workers say they expect to feel safe at work, according to the results of a recent survey conducted by Sterling Talent Solutions, an employment background screening and onboarding firm.

Washington – OSHA has awarded a total of $10.5 million to 77 organizations for safety and health training programs.

Washington – NIOSH recently recognized six facilities as Centers of Excellence, designed to help advance the overall safety, health, and well-being of workers.