The mission of the Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) includes enforcing provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which is designed to ensure that millions of workers are paid the federal minimum wage and overtime. Conducting investigations based on worker complaints is WHD's priority. According to WHD, investigations range from comprehensive investigations to conciliations, which consist primarily of phone calls to a complainant's employer.
OSHA has revised its Field Operations Manual to provide OSHA compliance officers with a single comprehensive resource of updated guidance in implementing the agency’s mission to more effectively protect employees from occupational injuries, illnesses and fatalities, according to an agency press release.
At a NIOSH hearing this week, the American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) submitted testimony outlining its concerns on the proposed NIOSH “Research Roadmap on Asbestos and Other Elongated Mineral Particles (EMPs),” noting that it would divert from its ultimate goal of protecting workers, according to an ASSE press statement.
The link between mind and body health cannot be ignored as the nation looks to heal its ailing health care system — that was the message from the American Psychological Association at a recent congressional briefing co-sponsored by the National Academies of Practice, according to an APA press release.
Regardless how the OSHA chief selection process plays out, the Obama regime change has ushered in a fresh group of official and unofficial policy advisors.
In an unprecedented effort to help protect children from toxic air pollution around schools, EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced a list of schools that will undergo outdoor air monitoring.
The American Society of Safety Engineers (ASSE) in a recent press statement applauds the Florida House Government Affairs Policy Committee for passing HB 1029, ASSE’s bill to provide basic occupational safety and health protection to public sector employees in Florida, by a vote of 7-0. This followed a tremendous effort by ASSE members who contacted their committee representatives to support the legislation, says ASSE.
Who is Seth Harris, the deputy secretary of labor (the number-two position in the Department of Labor) who sources tell us holds the cards, so to speak, in the selection process leading to the nomination of the next assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health?
Since President Obama was elected last November, the intriguing and little-understood behind-the-scenes competition of corralling support for various OSHA chief candidates has been percolating along.
With word from Washington that former lead contenders for the top OSHA slot, the AFL-CIO’s Peg Seminario and former NIOSH Director Dr. John Howard are out of the running, and industrial hygienist Hamid Arabzadeh is facing mounting labor opposition, who else might make the OSHA short list?
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