A total of 5,071 fatal work injuries were recorded in the United States in 2008, down from a total of 5,657 fatal work injuries reported for 2007. While the 2008 results are preliminary, this figure represents the smallest annual preliminary total since the Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) program was first conducted in 1992. Final results for 2008 will be released in April 2010. Based on these preliminary counts, the rate of fatal injury for U.S. workers in 2008 was 3.6 fatal work injuries per 100,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, down from the final rate of 4.0 in 2007. … Read more

Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE MicrosoftInternetExplorer4 Washington, D.C. — Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) announced on August 12 that it received a $624,300 grant from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) for construction apprenticeship training. The money, from DOL's Advancing Registered Apprenticeship into the 21st Century program, was awarded to ABC's Trimmer Education Foundation and will be divided among six ABC chapters and partnerships to expand employment opportunities for those interested in pursing a career in construction, including minorities, women and displaced workers.   “Despite the economic downturn, we are still facing a severe shortage of construction … Read more

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), in an effort to crack down on fraudulent trainers, is continuing to strengthen the integrity of its 36-year-old Outreach Training Program by publishing an “Outreach Trainer Watch List” of those who have had their trainer authorizations either revoked or suspended. OSHA recently conducted an undercover investigation as part of its heightened effort to address fraudulent activity by trainers authorized through the OSHA Outreach Training Program. The investigation of a 10-hour course conducted by Don Barker, environmental health and safety director for Thor Construction in Las Vegas, … Read more