Flashings

OSHA issues whistleblower retaliation complaint final rule

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has issued its final rule establishing procedures for handling whistleblower complaints under the Consumer Financial Protection Act of 2010 (CFPA). Employees who report violations of consumer financial protection laws to their employers, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, law enforcement or any other regulatory agency are protected against retaliation under section 1057 of the CFPA.

"Whistleblowers serve as a check on the government and business, shining a light on illegal, unethical or dangerous practices that otherwise may go uncorrected," says David Michaels, assistant secretary of labor for occupational safety and health. "This final rule protects employees of private financial institutions and businesses who stand up for what is right when the integrity of our financial system is being threatened."

The final rule establishes procedures, burdens of proof, remedies and statutes of limitations similar to other whistleblower protection statutes administered by OSHA. The rule implements statutory requirements created by Congress and does not create new obligations for employers or employees.

Additional information about OSHA's whistleblower protection programs is available at www.whistleblowers.gov.

DOL supports women in nontraditional occupations

The Department of Labor (DOL) has announced a $1.9 million grant competition intended to boost the recruitment, hiring and training of women in high-skill occupations such as advanced manufacturing, transportation, energy, construction and information technology. The grants will be funded by the Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations program.

DOL's Women's Bureau and Office of Apprenticeship jointly will award four grants to create regional Technical Assistance Resource Centers. Eligible grant applicants include community-based organizations capable of establishing technical assistance resources for registered apprenticeship programs. Each center will provide technical assistance and support to current and potential apprenticeship sponsors, including establishing connections with pre-apprenticeship programs; developing orientations for employers about creating successful work environments for women; and identifying resources for providing women with supportive services such as childcare and transportation.

"Apprenticeships are a time-tested method for training workers with the skills needed to succeed in the jobs employers need most, but for too long these earn-while-you-learn opportunities have been too scarce for women and other underrepresented populations," says Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. "These grants will help to turn the tide and ensure that more women have the support and access they need to be successful in a variety of 'nontraditional' careers."

The solicitation for grant applications is available at www.grants.gov. Additional information about DOL's employment and training programs is available at www.doleta.gov.

OSHA updates eye and face protection standards

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has published a final rule updating personal protective equipment requirements for workers in general industry, shipyards, longshoring, marine terminals and construction. The rule took effect April 25.

The final rule reflects current national consensus standards and ensures workers can use up-to-date eye and face protection. The rule updates references in OSHA's Eye and Face Protection Standards to recognize ANSI/ISEA Z87.1-2010, Occupational and Educational Personal Eye and Face Protection Devices. OSHA also is retaining the 2003 and 1989 (R-1998) versions of the ANSI standard already referenced in its standard.

In addition, the final rule updates the construction standard by deleting the 1968 version of the ANSI standard that was referenced and now includes the same three ANSI standards previously referenced to ensure consistency among the agency's standards.

Be a part of National Roofing Week

This year's National Roofing Week will kick off June 5 and continue through June 11. Organized by NRCA, the event is held each summer to increase awareness across the U.S. about the significance of roofs on every home and business and share the good deeds of the industry.

NRCA will host a social media campaign during National Roofing Week to highlight NRCA members and their contributions to the roofing industry. Each day of National Roofing Week will focus on a different theme. Members are encouraged to share photos corresponding to the theme of each day, tag NRCA and use the hashtag #nationalroofingweek. All NRCA members received a social media "Proud to Be an NRCA Member" card in the April edition of For Members Only to include in all the photos they submit during National Roofing Week. Members also can download a color PDF of the card from the Members Only section at www.nrca.net/Print-Card.

The National Roofing Week themes for each day are the following:

Sunday, June 5: National Roofing Week kickoff

Monday, June 6: Share your charitable projects

Tuesday, June 7: Salute your crew and staff

Wednesday, June 8: Share how you train your workers

Thursday, June 9: Share your signature projects

Friday, June 10: Share how you celebrated National Roofing Week

Saturday, June 11: National Roofing Week wrap-up

NRCA also encourages members to celebrate National Roofing Week through contributions to charitable organizations in their communities. Members can share their stories of charitable giving with NRCA, who will promote these efforts through social media, NRCA's Roof Scoop blog and Professional Roofing magazine.

NRCA responds to OSHA's silica workplace exposure final rule

NRCA has issued a statement in response to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's (OSHA's) March 25 final rule regarding workplace exposure to respirable silica dust. Portions of NRCA's statement follow:

"NRCA has serious concerns regarding OSHA's new silica regulation. When the regulation takes effect for the construction industry in June of 2017, the permissible exposure level for silica in construction workplaces will be dramatically reduced from the current 250 micrograms per cubic meter to 50 micrograms per cubic meter and an action level of 25 micrograms per cubic meter will be established.

"NRCA is most concerned the new requirements will increase the risk of falls for roofing workers. Many workers will have to use wet saws on the rooftop to reduce silica dust exposure, introducing new hazards such as slipping on wet surfaces and tripping on hoses. In addition, NRCA is concerned compliance with the regulation will add significant costs for contractors and may not always be technologically feasible. Some commercial laboratories have indicated they are not capable of accurately or consistently measuring such low levels of silica.

"NRCA appreciates OSHA made modest improvements in the final rule in response to concerns NRCA articulated in testimony on the regulation as originally proposed. NRCA now calls upon OSHA to work with NRCA to identify implementation strategies that protect workers from new fall hazards and alleviate compliance concerns based on measurements of workplace silica levels."

NRCA's full statement is available at www.nrca.net/0416-OSHA-silica-regulation. Additional information about OSHA's final rule regarding workplace exposure to respirable silica dust is available at www.osha.gov/silica.

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