Sept/Oct - NC Department of Labor

NC Labor
-February 2010
January
September-October
2013
N.C. Department of Labor
Cherie Berry, Commissioner
Transit System Earns Carolina Star
By Dolores Quesenberry
Communications Director
T
he N.C. Department of Labor recently recognized Triangle
Transit as the first transit system in the state to receive the
Carolina Star—the most prestigious safety recognition given
by the department. Triangle Transit is a public agency that
operates regional bus, shuttle and other transportation services
in the Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill area, including many
surrounding municipalities.
Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry visited Triangle Transit’s
Bus Operations and Maintenance Facility in Morrisville on
Aug. 23 to present agency officials with the Carolina Star
flag and certificate.
“We’re honored that Commissioner Berry can be on hand
to present the Star award to Triangle Transit and our employees,”
said David King, general manager. “We’re pleased to lead
the way for safe public transportation in North Carolina.”
Before becoming a Star site, Triangle Transit did not have Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry watches as veterans who work at Triangle Transit hoist
a flagpole. When officials learned that the agency would be the Carolina Star and American flags. Triangle Transit is the first transit company in the
receiving the Carolina Star flag, they had a flagpole installed. state to earn Carolina Star status.
Several of the veterans who work for Triangle Transit began
raising the American flag every morning during the weeks before the Star ceremony. On the day of the ceremony, these same veterans helped
raise the Carolina Star flag beneath the American flag in front of the building.
“Congratulations on being the first transit system in the state to achieve Star status,” Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry said. “The Carolina Star
flag designates Triangle Transit as one of the safest workplaces in North Carolina. The flag should also serve as a daily reminder that maintaining a
safety and health culture in the workplace is a constant journey.”
Triangle Transit is one of the 21 Public Sector Star sites in North Carolina. There are 151 Star worksites across the state. Star sites have experienced
fewer lost workday injuries, reductions in employee turnover, quality improvements and other benefits that demonstrate that productivity, quality,
profitability and safety are complementary outcomes.
“Our goal has been to educate and train every single person we possibly can who works in the state of North Carolina—be it in the private
sector or the public sector—to try to prevent as many injuries and illnesses and fatalities as humanly possible to do,” Commissioner Berry said.
“It takes everybody working together, every minute, every second, of every day to make that happen.”
Triangle Transit improves the region’s quality of life by connecting people and places with reliable, safe and easy-to-use travel choices that
reduce congestion and energy use, save money and promote sustainability, healthier lifestyles and a more environmentally responsible community.
Triangle Transit has about 150 employees. It currently operates 14 regional routes, five weekday express routes and four shuttle routes covering
more than 13 locations. The agency’s goal is to “provide safe, secure and reliable service that protects employees and passengers and minimizes
property damage to vehicles and facilities.”
Triangle Transit has a video of Commissioner Berry’s remarks on YouTube. View the video here.
Inside this edition:
From Labor
Commissioner
Cherie Berry
This summer the Legislature passed a bill transferring the
Apprenticeship and Training Bureau to the N.C. Department of
Commerce. The transition takes effect Jan. 1, 2014.
Secretary of Commerce Sharon Decker and I have spoken at length
about the Apprenticeship Program. She is not only supportive and
knowledgeable but also sees the benefit of consolidating the program
with the state’s other economic development programs. Commerce
is the home of our state’s industrial recruitment, workforce development and economic development.
So while I am sad to see my friends and colleagues in
Apprenticeship leave Labor, nothing makes me happier than to
know that they are going to the state’s lead economic development
agency. There they will work with professionals with a common
goal and have the potential to grow and prosper. This move also
presents a great opportunity for the employers all across North
Carolina to better understand the value of the Apprenticeship
Program.
I hope many of you will make it to our apprentice contests at
the N.C. State Fair. (See schedule on page 3.) While this year will
be my last year to personally present the awards, I will continue
to support apprenticeship and the contests in whatever way I can.
While at the fair, please stop by the department’s booth in the Scott
Building to take a turn spinning our trivia wheel and test your
knowledge of North Carolina trivia.
Apprenticeship 2000 Graduation
page 3
Changes to North Carolina’s E-Verify Law
page 4
Deadly Mistakes
page 5
Workplace Worries
page 5
Bulletin Board
page 6
Recognition Roundup
Recognition Roundup identifies businesses that qualify for one of the N.C.
Department of Labor’s recognition programs. Congratulations to all of the
recent award recipients. To view a complete list of all North Carolina Star
recipient companies, click here.
To view a complete list of all North Carolina general industry SHARP
companies, visit www.nclabor.com/osha/consult/sharp_sites.pdf.
Safety and Health Achievement Recognition
Program (SHARP) Award
NEPTCO Inc., Granite Falls
Armacell, LLC, Corporate Office, Mebane
Reich, LLC, Arden
Pak-Lite Inc., Mebane
Chatham Trades Inc., Siler City
Rising Star Sites
Sandoz Inc., Wilson
Building Star Site
Jacobs Engineering Group Inc., Durham (recertification)
Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry asks a fairgoer a trivia question
at the NCDOL booth at the N.C. State Fair.
Carolina Star Sites
General Electric Co., Aircraft Engine Facility, Wilmington
(recertification)
N.C. Department of Labor
Public Sector Star Site
Cherie Berry
Commissioner of Labor
Person County Health Department, Roxboro (recertification)
Editor ........................................................................Neal O’Briant
Layout and Design ..............................................Jeff Wilson
Publications Bureau Chief ....................Mike Daniels
1101 Mail Service Center
Raleigh, NC 27699-1101
1-800-625-2267 • www.nclabor.com
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Apprenticeship 2000 Graduation
By Pamela L. McGimpsey
Apprenticeship Consultant
The group of companies best known as Apprenticeship 2000 hosted a
graduation ceremony for the seven apprentices of the Class of 2013 on
Aug. 6 at the Catawba Country Club in Newton. Family and friends gathered
not only to congratulate the graduates but also to celebrate the signing of
the 17 new apprentices who make up the Class of 2017.
Featured guests at the graduation and signing ceremony included Lt. Gov.
Dan Forest, Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry and 2009 Apprenticeship
2000 graduate Brian Barrett.
“The Apprenticeship 2000 program, which is currently administered
through the Department of Labor, is an incredible opportunity for our youth,”
Lt. Gov. Forest said. “Through this program young men and women are
able to sign on with a company to learn and master a craft of a specific
industry. On completion of an apprenticeship these young adults come out
with a great paying and stable job.”
The companies in Apprenticeship 2000 are Pfaff Molds, Blum Inc.,
Sarstedt Inc., Max Daetwyler Corp., Chiron America Inc., Siemens Energy Inc.,
The Timken Co., and Ameritech Die & Mold. Last year, Apprenticeship 2000
received the Innovative Partnership Award in the N.C. Governor’s Awards for Lt. Gov. Dan Forest addresses the attendees at the Apprenticeship 2000
Excellence in Workforce Development. The program was also honored by the graduation and signing ceremony in Newton on Aug. 6.
U.S. Department of Labor last year with the Trailblazers and Innovators Award.
The companies in Apprenticeship 2000 recruit high school students to begin their training in their senior year of high school. During their senior
year, apprentices go to school for half a day, then they work at their sponsoring company for the other half a day. They are paid for hours worked
during that year. Upon graduation from high school, apprentices become full-time employees of their sponsor. Apprentices are paid for all hours
worked and for attending classes at Central Piedmont Community College and are eligible for company benefits.
Apprenticeship training in the program is available in the following occupations: tool and die maker, electronics technician, CNC machinist,
machine technician, mold/plastics technician, and welding fabricator.
“Apprenticeship 2000 has been doing great things since 1995,” Commissioner Berry said. “I congratulate the graduates of the Class of 2013
for their achievements and welcome the members of the Class of 2017 to the challenging and rewarding journey they’re beginning tonight.”
Watch North Carolina’s best apprentices and
high school students compete at the 2013 N.C. State Fair!
Masonry Contest ..........................................................Oct. 21
Pre-Apprentice Masonry Contest............Oct. 21
Electrical Contest ........................................................Oct. 23
Carpentry Contest..........................................................Oct. 24
Plumbing/Pipefitter Contest ............................Oct. 25
HV/AC-R Contest ......................................................Oct. 25
The contest tent is located between the Jim Graham Building and Hillsborough Street, near Gate 2.
For schedules and more information, go to www.nclabor.com/appren/contests.htm.
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Changes to North Carolina’s E-Verify Law
By Neal O’Briant
Public Information Officer
The General Assembly passed a bill this summer that changes the requirements for businesses that must use E-Verify in North Carolina.
Gov. Pat McCrory vetoed the bill Aug. 15, saying it would allow businesses to circumvent federal immigration law, resulting in more illegal
immigrants being hired in North Carolina industries. The General Assembly overrode the governor’s veto on Sept. 4, and the change became
effective that day.
The E-Verify program is a web-based system operated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in partnership with the Social Security
Administration that allows participating employers to electronically verify the employment authorization of newly hired employees.
As of July 1 of this year, North Carolina businesses with 25 or more employees were required to use E-Verify to check work authorization for
all newly hired employees. The bill passed this summer by the General Assembly changed the definition of “employee.” The previous version of
the law exempted employers from having to verify the work authorization for “a seasonal temporary employee who is employed for 90 or fewer
days during a 12-consecutive month period.”
The major change made to the law is that now an individual whose term of employment is less than nine months in a calendar year is not
considered an employee. The term “seasonal temporary employee” was removed from the law.
Companies that employ 25 or more employees must comply with North Carolina’s law. North Carolina’s E-verify law does not require
individuals who do not meet the definition of employee in the act be verified through the E-verify system. However, North Carolina law does not
exempt an employer from federal law or the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding required by the U.S. Department of Homeland
Security when an employer signs up to use the federal E-Verify system.
Please visit www.nclabor.com/legal/e_verify/e_verify.htm on our website for more information about North Carolina’s E-Verify law.
Don’t miss the Apprentice Contests
at the 2013 N.C. State Fair!
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The contest tent is located between
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N An 85-year-old crossing guard was struck by a car.
By Steve Sykes
State Plan Coordinator
N A 66-year-old maintenance man fell and was found at the bottom
of a flight of stairs.
Accident Event: On
Nov. 14, 2012, a 59-year-old
traffic control officer was killed when he struck his head on the asphalt
road surface after being hit by a car.
Investigative Findings: The victim had been employed by the
school system for almost two years at the time of his death. On the day
of the accident, the victim was directing traffic as drivers picked up
their children from school. It was usual for the traffic control officer
to work in the main highway adjacent to the school campus while
directing traffic. When he was struck by the car, he was standing in a
left turn lane. The driver of the car that struck the officer could not
explain why she was in the left lane since she had no intention to turn
left. The driver was obeying the 35 mph speed limit in the school zone
at the time of the accident, and visibility was not determined to be an
issue contributing to the accident.
The investigation confirmed that the traffic control officer had been
trained to perform his duties by a sworn law enforcement officer
according to guidelines issued by the N.C. Department of Transportation.
At the time of the accident, the victim was wearing the appropriate
personal protective equipment. This included a high-visibility vest and
hat, and he was using a lighted traffic wand.
Discussion: The death of a traffic control officer last school year
reminds us that injuries on the job are not limited to just the worksites
that are usually considered to be the most dangerous. Deaths occur
much too often on usually less dangerous environments such as school
campuses. In the last 10 years, the following accidents resulted in the
death of school employees:
N A 55-year-old teacher fell when escorting students to the bus
parking lot.
N A 59-year-old teacher fell while playing kickball with her students.
In most years “falls” and “struck-by” accidents are the leading causes
of death on the job, and the school environment has not been immune
from these type accidents. The new school year can be a reminder that we
need to take a fresh look at situations that could cause an accident on
the job. No one wants a joyous time at either school or wherever we
work to turn into a sad time because someone has been hurt on the job.
Recommendations:
N Employees working on and around streets and highways must wear
high visibility clothing.
N Particular care must be taken when working in and around highways
with moving traffic.
N A motorist should address visibility issues affecting the car’s
windshield, which could include ice, snow, rain or sun.
N Do not let distractions such as a radio or cell phone prevent safe
driving.
N Slow down in areas in which there may be pedestrian traffic.
N Pay close attention when driving and don’t “zone out” especially
when workers or pedestrians are present on the highway.
N A 56-year-old elementary school teacher fell off a chair she was
standing on to hang a screen on the wall.
Workplace Worries
By Val Eucare
Wage and Hour Administrator
Q. Is my employer allowed to reduce my rate of pay?
A. Yes. Employers are allowed under the Wage and Hour Act of North Carolina to reduce their employees’ rates of pay. To do so, your employer
has to notify employees in writing or through a posted notice maintained in a place accessible to its employees at least 24 hours prior to any
changes in promised wages. Wages may be retroactively increased without the prior notice required by the act. In addition, the reduction cannot
bring the rate of pay below minimum wage.
Q. If I work 40 hours and get eight hours of holiday pay for a total of 48 hours of pay for the week, does my employer have to pay overtime
for the hours over 40?
A. No, not unless the employee physically worked more than 40 hours in the workweek. Overtime must be paid at a rate of time and one-half
times the employee’s regular rate of pay for each hour actually worked in excess of 40 hours in the workweek, unless you are exempt for a
specific reason.
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N.C. Department of Labor
Mine and Quarry Training
10-Hour General Industry
Awareness Courses
Part 46 New Miner Training
Oct. 8, Winston-Salem
Oct. 14-16, Wake Forest
Oct. 22, Salisbury
Nov. 19, Statesville
Part 46 Annual Refresher Training
Oct. 10, Winston-Salem
Oct. 17, Wake Forest
Nov. 21, Statesville
Part 48 Annual Refresher Training
Oct. 8, Wake Forest
First Aid Training
Oct. 9, Winston-Salem
Oct. 23, Salisbury
Nov. 20, Statesville
Oct. 14-15
Coastal Carolina Community College
Jacksonville
Click here for more information.
Complying With OSHA
General Industry Standards
for Beginners
Oct. 29-30
Dec. 10-11
OSH Division Office, Lake Boone Trail
Raleigh
Click date for more information.
For details and to register for any of these seminars or classes,
contact the Mine and Quarry Bureau at 919-807-2790.
Western North Carolina
Safety and Health Conference
OSH Webinar Courses
Visit the OSH Training Schedule Calendar here to view
upcoming Internet training courses. Upcoming topics include
hazard communication training for chemical users. Check the
calendar for new courses being added soon.
Nov. 4-6
Doubletree Biltmore, Asheville
www.wncsafetyschool.com/
1-800-625-2267
www.nclabor.com
North Carolina Safety Congress
Nov. 21-22
Embassy Suites, Charlotte
www.safetync.org/safetycongress.htm
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