Preparing workers for good green jobs

On Earth Day, Deputy Secretary of Labor Julie Su reflects on how the Biden-Harris administration is investing hundreds of billions of dollars in clean energy to fight climate change while creating millions of good jobs for America’s workers, and Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh explains how the Department of Labor is working to prepare workers for these jobs.

Building a strong economy with clean energy and apprenticeships

Secretary Walsh and Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm visited California this week to highlight how the administration is building the best economy for America’s workers in decades. They met with local representatives, students, employers and others to discuss apprenticeship, business innovation, clean energy and how the Bipartisan Innovation Act will improve the nation’s supply chains while creating good jobs. Read tweets from the secretary's trip.

Easier filing and more transparency for federal firefighter workers’ comp claims

Secretary Walsh and Office of Workers’ Compensation Programs Director Christopher Godfrey met with members of the International Association of Fire Fighters and the National Federation of Federal Employees in Los Angeles to discuss policy changes that will help federal firefighters with certain occupational illnesses.

OSHA proposes to reconsider and revoke Arizona’s state OSHA plan

Responding to concerns about Arizona’s commitment to worker safety and health, OSHA is proposing to reconsider and revoke the final approval of Arizona’s state OSHA plan. The announcement follows nearly a decade-long pattern of failures to adopt and enforce sufficiently effective standards and enforcement policies.

Celebrating Earth Day with a green jobs outlook

🌎 Want a job that helps the planet? You can find information on green jobs and hundreds of other occupations in the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupational Outlook Handbook.

Share your thoughts: proposed revisions to Wagner-Peyser Act regulations

We’re seeking public comment on proposed revisions to Wagner-Peyser Act regulations that would help states improve unemployment insurance processing and other services.

New OSHA program will target respirable silica hazards in six states

OSHA has developed a new Regional Emphasis Program to identify and reduce hazards in the cut stone and stone products industry, which has had the highest documented overexposures to respirable crystalline silica in the Denver region over the past 10 years. Enforcement will begin on May 17, 2022.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Fall safety

OSHA cited a roofing and siding contractor for willfully exposing employees to fall hazards and proposed $501,376 in penalties.

Visa violations

A commercial landscaping company must pay $220,000 in back wages and penalties after underpaying 47 workers and attempting to hide it from investigators.

Overtime restored

A Pennsylvania home healthcare agency and its owner must pay $1,158,955 to 193 direct care workers who were denied overtime pay.

Listening sessions

We’re hosting a series of listening sessions on the current overtime regulations for white-collar workers and the potential impact from any changes.

Fatality finding

An OSHA investigation into how a 47-year-old carpenter was fatally injured last year found his employer violated safety standards by allowing workers to remain in a crane load’s danger zone.

Seeking nominations

We’re seeking nominations for membership on an advisory board that addresses compensation and benefits for current and former nuclear weapons industry workers.

WORKING FOR YOU

Our grants change lives

Yeni Andrea has been surrounded by coffee since she was born. Today, she is learning new farming techniques through a Bureau of International Labor Affairs pilot program with Verite. She is building a new house, saving for retirement and dreaming of having her own coffee plot. Learn more about how our grants support workers throughout the country and around the world.