News from April 2023



US Department of Labor renews L.L. Bean ‘Star Level’ designation for workplace safety, health achievements

News Release: Participant: L.L. Bean Manufacturing Brunswick. Brunswick, Maine. Description: L.L. Bean Manufacturing Brunswick employs about 200 workers at the Brunswick facility where they manufacture and assemble boots, dog beds and perform custom embroidery. Duration: OSHA first recognized the manufacturer in ...


Consulting firm earns renewed ‘Star’ designation, US Department of Labor recognition of its lengthy commitment to safe, healthy workplaces

News Release: Participant: Hellman & Associates Inc. 11913 West I-70 Frontage Road North. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033. Description: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has again awarded Star designation in its Voluntary Protection Program to Hellman & Associates Inc., an environmental ...


Dangers discounted: US Department of Labor finds Dollar General willfully exposing workers to fire hazards at central Pennsylvania store

News Release: JERSEY SHORE, PA - A U.S. Department of Labor investigation has again found Dollar General exposing workers to dangerous safety hazards - including blocked emergency exit routes and electrical panels - this time during a November 2022 inspection at a Jersey Shore, Pennsylvania, store.


Notice published on April 20 by Labor Department

The US Labor Department published a two page notice on April 20, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


Department of Labor effort to protect US, temporary workers’ rights in Midwest under H-2B guest visa program continues

News Release: CHICAGO - The U.S. Department of Labor announced today that its Wage and Hour Division will host an online seminar on April 18 at 1 p.m. EDT on the proper employment of temporary nonimmigrant workers with H-2B guest visas for employers, worker advocates and other stakeholders, as part of an ongoing division initiative to ensure that Midwest employers comply with federal laws governing the program.


Statement by Assistant Secretary Julie McClain Downey on March Jobs Report

News Release: WASHINGTON - U.S. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Julie McClain Downey issued the following statement on the March 2023 Employment Situation Report



US Department of Labor investigation of 29-year-old sanitation worker’s leg amputation finds Ohio food processor again ignored safety standards

News Release: CINCINNATI ‒ While working the overnight sanitation shift at an Ohio food processing plant, a 29-year-old temporary worker - on the job just nine months - suffered critical injuries after falling into an industrial blender he was cleaning and became caught in the rotating paddle augers. The worker’s injuries led to a leg amputation.


US Department of Labor announces $5M funding opportunity to attract, retain women in Registered Apprenticeships, nontraditional occupations

News Release: WASHINGTON - To continue its support of the Biden-Harris administration’s historic infrastructure, manufacturing and clean energy investments, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $5 million to fund up to 14 grants to attract and support women in gaining access to Registered Apprenticeship programs in industries where they are underrepresented such as construction, manufacturing and cybersecurity.


Dollar General again found exposing employees to fire, entrapment hazards, after federal workplace safety inspection at Orlando-area store

News Release: WINTER GARDEN, FL - Federal workplace safety inspectors have found Dollar General Corp., one of the nation’s largest discount retailers, exposing its employees and others to unsafe conditions again, this time in Winter Garden, Florida.


US Department of Labor focused on preventing child labor violations, protecting young workers in Southeast as summer hiring surge approaches

News Release: ATLANTA - With violations of child labor laws up 69 percent since 2018 and millions of minor-aged workers joining the U.S. workforce each year - many in seasonal summer jobs in the restaurant, retail and amusement industries - the U.S. Department of Labor is actively working to educate Southeast employers about their legal obligations and make sure young employees are kept safe at work and paid fully.


Denver construction contractor’s commitment to workplace safety, health earns ‘Star’ designation from US Department of Labor

Release: Participant: Guarantee Electrical Contracting LLC. 1390 Wheeling St. Denver, CO 80239. Description: The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has awarded Guarantee Electrical Contracting with its Star designation in the agency’s Voluntary Protection Program. The designation ...


US Department of Labor investigation finds wind turbine parts manufacturer continues to ignore machine safety procedures

News Release: HOUSTON - A federal workplace safety investigation into a Houston wind turbine parts manufacturing facility - operated by Proinlosa Energy Corp. - determined the employer failed to address safety violations found in a previous inspection from April 2022.


US Department of Labor reaches settlement with Prudential Insurance Company of America to revise life insurance practices that denied claims

News Release: WASHINGTON - The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a settlement with the Prudential Insurance Company of America - a subsidiary of Prudential Financial Inc. - that will require the financial giant to revise its practices after a federal investigation found the Newark, New Jersey-based company ...


Department of Labor announces $44M in grants available for job training, services in rural communities

News Release: WASHINGTON - To help workers access new, high-quality career opportunities in rural communities, the U.S. Department of Labor today announced the availability of $44.2 million in funding in Workforce Opportunity for Rural Communities initiative demonstration grants.


Maritime Advisory Committee on Occupational Safety and Health (MACOSH) discussed on April 20 by Labor Department

The US Labor Department published a one page notice on April 20, according to the U.S. Government Publishing Office.


US Department of Labor, state agencies, industry leaders launch campaign to educate, alert Midwest employers, workers of deadly excavation hazards

News Release: CHICAGO ‒ Thirty-nine people died doing trench or excavation work in the U.S. in 2022 - four in Illinois and two others in Ohio. In fact, the number of worker fatalities more than doubled since 2021, continuing a troubling trend cited by the Bureau of Labor Statistics that found 166 workers died in trench cave-ins from 2011-2018, an average of 21 each year.


US Department of Labor recovers $77K in back wages, liquidated damages after finding three liquor stores denied workers overtime

Release: Employers: Nyrio Investments Corp., operating as Stateline Liquor & Wine at 1069 Main Street, Southaven, MS 38671