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February 2016
 
Below is a recap of recent news from the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. DLI oversees the state's programs for apprenticeship, construction codes and licensing, occupational safety and health, wage and hour standards, and workers' compensation.

A number of reasons to attend 2016 Construction Conference

The 2016 Construction Industry Conference is Feb. 18, 2016, at the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center.
Register online now at www.dli.mn.gov/Construction.
By the numbers:
  • 300 industry attendees expected
  • $89 for all workshops and general sessions, plus breakfast and lunch
  • 36 state agency and industry speakers and panelists
  • 19 hours of construction industry content
  • 16 industry sponsors and partners
  • 11 state agency staff available for 1-on-1 appointments
  • 5 state agency Commissioners
  • 5 workshops offering continuing education (CE) credits
Session topics include:  building code changes, state contracts and procurement, licensing and compliance, safety and health compliance and consultation, and workforce development.
 
State subject-matter experts will be available throughout the conference for one-on-one sessions about contracting, prevailing wage, apprenticeship, workers' compensation, safety and more.
 
Register online at www.dli.mn.gov/Construction
 
Hurry! Registration closes Feb. 12.
 
If you have any questions, contact construction@state.mn.us or call (651) 284-5018.
OSHA Consultation provides health care workers violence prevention training

Vikki Sanders, OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation, helped the Minnesota Department of Health create a free  online training video to help health care workers learn how to identify, prevent and de-escalate violence as required under  state law.

The training video offers a basic workplace violence prevention training for health care workers to "recognize, respond and report" potential situations in the workplace. View the video here.
OSHA Compliance provides outreach via Univision TV

Robert Servian, OSHA Compliance investigator, went on-camera Jan. 25 with a Univision TV reporter to discuss how OSHA conducts inspections and the importance of worker safety and health.

Part one of the interview aired Jan. 26 on Univision TV. Servian's interview begins at 3:54 of the broadcast. View the video here.


New edition of Apprenticeship Works sent to subscribers

A new edition of Apprenticeship Works -- the quarterly newsletter of Apprenticeship Minnesota -- was recently sent to subscribers.

Some of the stories in the new edition include: 
  • Allshouse turns training program into career
  • Cement Finishers build annual holiday display
  • 'What is Registered Apprenticeship?'
  • Apprenticeship is smart planning for the future
  • Apprenticeship: By The Numbers
  • Registered apprenticeship the right fit for Stumm
  • Department of Veterans Affairs available to share information
  • And more ...

Construct Tomorrow in St. Cloud on Feb. 9

The  Construct Tomorrow program provides information about apprenticeship career training and opportunities in the construction industry.  The team includes staff members from DLI, apprenticeship coordinators, prime and sub-contractors and local educators. The organizers host events for students to introduce them to opportunities in the construction industry.


The Construct Tomorrow team brings representatives from multiple trades to a site designated by the host and provides hands-on experiences for the students who get to work side-by-side with apprentices and journey-level workers to wire circuits, trowel cement, set tile and much more. At the conclusion of the event, the students participate in an exit survey to gauge their level of interest in the trades. The Construct Tomorrow team endeavors to connect these students with more information and experiences to help create a pathway into apprenticeship.


What is Construct Tomorrow?
What is Construct Tomorrow?


Minnesota Plumbing Code resources

Minnesota's 2015 Plumbing Code took effect Jan. 23, 2016. DLI has online resources to assist with the transition to the new code, such as:
  • Free, online viewing of the 2015 Minnesota Plumbing Code and links to purchase copies of the code.
  • A Plumbing Code Fact Sheet.
  • A list of important changes in the 2015 Minnesota Plumbing Code.
Injury, fatality investigation summaries available

Minnesota OSHA Compliance has investigated  six fatalities since Oct. 1, 2015, the beginning of the current federal-fiscal-year.

Workplace  fatality and serious-injury investigation summaries are available each month from Minnesota OSHA Compliance. The reports contain basic information about the business involved, a description of the event and the outcome of the investigation.

The summaries, plus other helpful workplace safety and health information from Minnesota OSHA, are online at www.dli.mn.gov/OSHA/Information.asp
"Labor and Industry is committed to ensuring equitable, healthy and safe work and living environments in Minnesota. Through outreach, education and compliance efforts, we strive to improve the quality of life for Minnesota workers and their families."
-- DLI Commissioner Ken Peterson