Labor Department News Releases Update

The U.S. Department of Labor's Mine Safety and Health Administration today issued guidance to the mining industry to clarify that mine operators who meet the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's hazard communication standard will be in compliance with MSHA's hazard communication standard. The guidance, in a program policy letter, reflects MSHA's understanding that many mine operators are meeting OSHA's HazCom standard.

The U.S. Department of Labor today announced a $1,081,678 grant to provide employment-related assistance to 120 residents affected by layoffs and closings at 16 manufacturing companies located in Bristol County, Mass.

Republic Steel has been cited by the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration for 24 safety violations carrying fines of $1,138,500. Fifteen willful violations of OSHA's fall protection standards were found at the company's Canton steel manufacturing plant.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs today announced a $5 million solicitation for cooperative agreement applications to support Burma's efforts to reduce child labor.

The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of International Labor Affairs will award up to $1 million to one or more organizations to help build the capacity of civil society organizations, including non-governmental organizations and trade unions, in the Kingdom of Morocco to address working women's issues and empower women to more fully exercise their labor rights, the agency announced today.