Department of Labor wants COVID repayment
- The State of Alabama paid out a record amount of unemployment during the pandemic, dolling out more than $725 million in unemployment in 2021 and 2022.
- However, the Alabama Department of Labor is asking residents to repay some of more than $164 million that was overpaid.
- If a resident overpaid through no fault of their own, they may not have to repay the state and waivers can be obtained.
- “It’s a breakdown of the system,” PRF Institute Executive Director Dr. Nathaniel Dunlap Jr. said.
Maryland to provide $22.9M for offshore wind industry workforce
- Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan announced that a $22.9 million American Rescue Plan Good Jobs Challenge grant will be used to support the offshore wind industry.
- Maryland’s project is one of 32 chosen nationwide out of more than 500 applicants.
- Overall, Maryland Works for Wind will place and/or upskill more than 4,300 Marylanders, strategically leverage $30 million in state and employer resources, and foster economic activity in 18 of Maryland’s 24 jurisdictions.
- The grant is expected to create more than 10,000 jobs in the State of Maryland and yield an economic impact of nearly $3 billion over the next 20 years.
Virginia fire department investigated for possible safety violations
- The Petersburg, Va., Fire Department is being accused of serious safety violations at all four of its fire stations.
- The Virginia Department of Labor and Industry received a report about issues with the exhaust ventilation systems.
- The exhaust system is supposed to pump the exhaust from the diesel engines of these fire trucks using a series of hoses and piping and expel it to the highest point outside of the station so that dangerous fumes can’t build up in the building.
- Those systems have been down for some time, potentially exposing firefighters and their gear to dangerous fumes.
OSHA focuses on preventing construction accidents
- OSHA signed a strategic partnership with DPR Construction to impart fatal construction hazards training.
- Participants in the training will focus on preventing four types of fatal hazards — falls, electrical equipment handling, struck-by- and caught-in-between materials, and equipment incidents.
- They will also address fire safety, protection from heat illness, and dangers inherent in overexposure to silica and noise.
- The partnership participants will develop and implement safety and health management systems and provide training to employees, employers, and supervisors.