Labor & Employment

OSHA Fines Grain Company $276,407 for Safety Violations After Worker Injury

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued citations and proposed $276,407 in penalties to Alliance Grain Co. in Gibson City, Illinois. The citations stem from an inspection following a serious injury to a seasonal laborer, revealing violations related to machine guarding, lockout/tagout procedures, and grain bin entry safety.

OSHA Clarifies Lead Contamination on Surfaces

OSHA has issued a clarification regarding the interpretation of "as free as practicable" for lead contamination on surfaces in its lead standard for construction. This guidance addresses employer responsibilities for maintaining clean work areas and lunchroom facilities to minimize lead exposure.

OSHA Interim Enforcement Guidance on Handrail and Stair Rail Systems

OSHA has issued interim enforcement guidance regarding handrail and stair rail system requirements under 29 CFR 1910.28(b) and 1910.29(f). This guidance provides a temporary compliance path for employers until a final rule is issued, addressing a formatting error in Table D-2 of the 2016 Walking-Working Surfaces final rule.

OSHA Interpretation on Respirator Medical Evaluations

OSHA has issued an interpretation clarifying its Respiratory Protection standard (29 CFR § 1910.134) regarding medical evaluations for respirator use. This interpretation addresses the extent of information employers must provide to healthcare professionals and the scope of the PLHCP's evaluation concerning an employee's ability to perform job tasks safely while using a respirator.

OSHA Guidance on Recordability of Lithium-Ion Battery Injuries

OSHA issued guidance clarifying that workplace injuries resulting from employees improperly carrying personal rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (e.g., in e-cigarettes) are considered work-related and must be recorded under OSHA's recordkeeping regulation (29 CFR Part 1904). The guidance addresses a specific scenario involving unprotected batteries sparking in a pocket.

Texas Workforce Commission Launches Streamlined State Application

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) has launched a new, streamlined State of Texas Application on WorkInTexas.com. This initiative, announced by Governor Greg Abbott, aims to simplify the application process for job seekers and employers.

Labor Recovers $1.08M for Workers Denied Minimum Wage and Overtime

The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division has recovered $1.08 million in back wages and damages for 24 warehouse workers. The settlement with Expresso Forwarding Inc. resolves violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act, including failure to pay minimum wage and overtime.

Cal/OSHA Advises Employers on Heat Illness Prevention

Cal/OSHA has issued an advisory urging employers to prevent heat illness as high temperatures are expected across California. The notice reminds employers of their legal obligations under existing Heat Illness Prevention Standards for both indoor and outdoor workplaces.

Texas Workforce Commission Wins National Reemployment Award

The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) received the 2025 Full Employment Award from the American Institute for Full Employment for its Reemployment Services and Eligibility Assessment (RESEA) program. The award recognizes TWC's innovative use of AI-powered job readiness tools and personalized coaching to help unemployment insurance claimants return to work faster.

Hartford Man Sentenced for Fraudulently Collecting Benefits

Ricardo Santiago was sentenced to 57 months in prison for fraudulently collecting over $316,000 in Social Security benefits, over $36,000 in unemployment benefits, and over $18,000 in food stamp benefits. He was also ordered to pay $371,686 in restitution.