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September 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.
Construction Codes and Licensing seminars begin Sept. 22
Day-long seminar conducted at seven locations throughout Minnesota

A new DLI seminar series titled Residential Plan Review and Minnesota Conservation Code for Existing Buildings begins Sept. 22, 2016. The seminar will be conducted at seven locations throughout Minnesota through Oct. 27, 2016.

The morning portion of the seminar will focus on chapters two through 10 of the Minnesota Residential Code and how it applies when performing building plan review for a single-family home.

The afternoon portion will provide an overview and comparison of all Minnesota Existing Building Conservation Code compliance methods.

The seminar is approved for six hours of continuing education for licensed building officials.
Interns gain experience working at DLI

2016 interns and their DLI supervisors
The Department of Labor and Industry's (DLI's) Youth Development Program hosted seven students from three Twin Cities area intern programs during summer 2016.

The student workers represent the St. Paul Right Track, Minneapolis STEP-UP Achieve and Urban Scholars programs. Within DLI, two students worked in the Labor Standards unit, two in the Workers' Compensation Division, two in the Construction Codes and Licensing Division, one in the Commissioner's Office and one in Special Projects.
Owatonna company begins apprenticeship program with assistance from Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative

MAI
Viracon in Owatonna brought on two apprentices through its advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program created with assistance from the Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative.
Viracon -- an architectural glass fabricator headquartered in Owatonna, Minn. -- recently brought on its first two apprentices through an advanced manufacturing apprenticeship program created with assistance from the Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative (MAI).

MAI is working to engage more than 100 employers in developing registered apprenticeship programs in high-growth fields including advanced manufacturing, agriculture, health care services, information technology and transportation.

Nearly two-dozen Minnesota businesses are working toward, or have already created, registered apprenticeship programs through MAI.
News release:  Employers invited to apply for Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative grants

Minnesota employers are invited to apply for grants to help them create or expand registered apprenticeship programs in five industries:
  • advanced manufacturing
  • agriculture
  • health care
  • information technology
  • transportation
Starting Sept. 14, 2016, employers can  download the grant application for the Minnesota Apprenticeship Initiative (MAI). The deadline to submit an application is Oct. 26, 2016. The initiative, announced in fall 2015, is funded through a $5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Over a five-year period, Minnesota will engage more than 100 employers in developing registered programs to recruit, train and retain 1,000 new apprentices in 30 high-growth occupations.
Employers receive $5,000 for each MAI-registered apprentice. This can help offset costs related to program development, instruction, and apprentice supplies and materials. Apprentices are given structured, on-the-job training and related instruction.
Characteristics of teen-workers' injuries

DLI's Research and Statistics unit has created a one-page flier about teen worker injuries to include injuries from 2012 through 2014.

During that time, 259 Minnesota 14- to 17-year-olds suffered serious work-related injuries. These injuries kept them from work for more than three days.

The flier explains the types of serious injuries, what happened and what caused the injuries, plus other characteristics.

Storm damage? Do your homework before hiring a contractor
Whether a remodel or clean-up, DLI has resources for consumers

DLI reminds homeowners to do their homework before hiring a building contractor after a storm ... or anytime.

After neighborhoods experience a wind or hail storm, homeowners may find salespeople for these companies going door-to-door soliciting repair work. DLI has resources available to help consumers hire a contractor for a repair or remodel.
August edition of COMPACT available

The August edition of COMPACT, the quarterly newsletter
from the Department of Labor and Industry's Workers' Compensation Division, was sent to subscribers and
published online in August.

The newsletter is a joint effort among the division's four units:  Alternative Dispute Resolution; Compliance, Records and Training; Special Compensation Fund; and Vocational Rehabilitation. The Research and Statistics, Office of
General Counsel and Communications units also contribute.
Injury, fatality investigation summaries available

Minnesota OSHA Compliance has investigated 14 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