The Labor Cabinet is closed Friday, September 3, in observance of a statewide furlough day - a budget balancing measure. The Labor Cabinet will also be closed on Monday, September 6, in observance of Labor Day. If you wish to report an imminent danger in the workplace, a workplace fatality, amputation, or hospitalization please call 502-564-3070 for emergency instructions. The Labor Cabinet will reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, September 7th. Thank you.”
Unfortunately, hundreds of heat-related deaths occur each year in the United States. Kentucky is well known for high summer temperatures and humidity, two (2) of the primary components that contribute to heat-related deaths and illnesses. Employers whose employees work in high temperature environments must be vigilant to ensure their employees are protected from the hazards associated with heat stress.
Much information is available relating to heat stress and the measures that can be taken to
prevent it. Visit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s website at
http://www.osha.gov/SLTC/heatstress/index.html or the National Institute for Occupational
Safety and Health website at http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/hotenvt.html to learn more. Rather than repeat what has already been said, the Labor Cabinet would like to highlight a few points.
•Education is vital to prevent excessive heat stress. Implementation of proper workplace controls and work practices can prevent heat stress while the ability to recognize the signs and symptoms associated with heat stress, should it occur, can save lives.
•Provision of adequate water supplies is crucial. Most individuals exposed to hot
conditions drink fewer fluids than needed because of an insufficient thirst drive. A
worker should not depend on thirst to signal when and how much to drink. Instead, the worker should drink five (5) to seven (7) ounces of fluids every fifteen (15) to twenty (20) minutes to replenish necessary fluids in the body. Regular rest breaks also aid workers in hot environments, whether their heat exposure occurs indoors or out.
Heat stress is not the only hazard associated with outdoor work during the summer months. It is also necessary to protect employees from the harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun. This is easily accomplished through regular use of sunscreen and wearing clothing that provides UV protection.
The Kentucky Labor Cabinet will be hosting a series of seminars showcasing our workplace-related programs and activities throughout the summer. These seminars will be conducted over two (2) days and will be targeted toward employers, employee organizations, public works projects, workforce development, workforce education and Registered Apprenticeship. Day ONE of the seminars will focus on Cabinet program specific segments, while DAY two will focus on Registered Apprenticeship and those currently involved or interested in the program.
Click here for the 2010 Labor Cabinet Regional Seminar Agenda
(Revised 6-15-2010)
September 1-2 Versailles KCTCS System Office, 300 North Main Street, Versailles.
(Maximum 200 participants)
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER!
The Kentucky Labor Cabinet has received complaints of telemarketers attempting to sell workplace posters with the false claim that the Commonwealth no longer provides workplace posters free of charge.
The telemarketers warn that large fines can be issued for failure to display the posters. They then offer to sell the required posters for a fee, reportedly as high as $89.00 per poster. Don’t pay unnecessary fees to companies telling half truths!
The Kentucky Labor Cabinet offers free downloadable copies of each workplace poster required by the Commonwealth. The posters can be accessed by visiting www.labor.ky.gov and clicking the Mandatory Posters link in the bottom right corner of the webpage. Preprinted posters are also available by calling the Department of Workplace Standards at 502-564-3534.
Federal Department of Labor posters are available for free download from the Department of Labor at www.dol.gov/compliance/topics/posters.htm. Exact posting requirements will vary by industry. Businesses are advised to contact the Kentucky Labor Cabinet and U.S. Department of Labor with questions and to learn which workplace posters they need.
Recent budget restrictions and reductions in manpower have necessitated procedural changes within the Division of Employment Standards, Apprenticeship and Mediation that directly affect the notification of prevailing wage hearings.
The Division of Employment Standards, Apprenticeship and Mediation (DESAM) will begin conducting Prevailing Wage Hearings in January 2010. The Tentative Prevailing Wage Hearing Schedule is located on the DESAM “Prevailing Wage Hearing Schedule and Determination Updates” webpage. This schedule will be updated as each hearing’s date, time and location is determined.
Rather than incurring the costly expense of mailing Notifications of Prevailing Wage Hearings, this office will be compiling an electronic distribution list in order for notifications to be sent via email. To ensure you receive proper notice of each hearing, you must forward your email address to Audrea.Collins@ky.gov. Those who wish to receive notice of a hearing tentatively scheduled for January 2010 must submit their email information by December 31, 2009.
Pursuant to KRS 337.522, legal notice of each hearing will continue to be posted in local area newspapers. These notices will also be posted on the DESAM “Prevailing Wage Hearing Schedule and Determination Updates” webpage. The Prevailing Wage Survey Form (ES-46) and its instructions will be available for download on this site as well.
