Department of Labor Offering Workplace Safety Classes in January

12/24/2015 12:44 PM EST

 

 

AUGUSTA-The Maine Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Standards is hosting its no-charge safety courses for employers and employees throughout January.

 

Visit the class registration page or call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) to register for any class.

"Federal OSHA fines are increasing next summer, some by up to 80 percent ," said Governor Paul R. LePage. "Investing in safety helps everyone. I encourage businesses to connect with SafetyWorks! for one of our no-cost trainings or to schedule an on-site consultation. Keeping up-to-date on workplace safety helps employers provide a safe place for Mainers to work and be prepared in the case of a federal OSHA review."

Courses are held at no charge to employers and their employees in the SafetyWorks! Training Institute at the Maine Department of Labor, 45 Commerce Drive in Augusta.

Mine Safety and Health Administration Refresher: Tuesday, January 19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) requires all surface mining (ex: stone crushing, gravel pit, etc.) employees to receive eight-hour annual training. This one-day course will cover generic MSHA training. However, site-specific training will also need to be conducted once you return to your respective job sites.

Trenching and Excavating:

Wednesday, January 20, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

You will learn the dangers to employees, soil classifications, OSHA requirements and the types of protective systems to prevent cave-ins. You will also learn what is meant by "competent person".

10-Hour Construction Standards:

Thursday, January 21 to Friday, 22, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
This one-and-a-half-day course gives basic information on several of the OSHA standards for construction (29 CFR 1926). Attendees who complete the course will receive an OSHA 10-hour course completion certificate. Class runs from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on day one and 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. on day two.

Accident Investigation/Injury Analysis:

Tuesday, January 26, 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

When work doesn't go as planned, accidents and near-misses happen. Investigating these incidents can prevent similar or even more serious problems from happening. Learn how to conduct a thorough accident/incident investigation and how to use your results to prevent future accidents.

Interested employers can learn more about the courses and register at http://www.safetyworksmaine.com , click "More Classes" from the homepage. Space is limited so reservations are required.

SafetyWorks! is not OSHA and cannot issue fines or citations to private businesses. While SafetyWorks! helps businesses of any size, priority is given to small businesses. The program trains about 8,000 people and consults at nearly 1,000 worksites in Maine each year. Employers interested in learning more about the consulting and training services offered by SafetyWorks! should call 1-877-SAFE 345 (1-877-723-3345) or visit http://www.safetyworksmaine.com .

The Bureau of Labor Standards is Maine's regulatory agency overseeing labor and employment law and workplace safety; it provides both consultation and enforcement services. The division promotes and achieves compliance with labor standards to protect and enhance the welfare of Maine's workforce.

The State of Maine is an equal opportunity provider. Auxiliary aids and services are available to individuals with disabilities upon request.

Employer 2016 Unemployment Contribution Schedule to Drop to Lowest Rate Since 2009

 

Employer 2016 Unemployment Contribution Schedule to Drop to Lowest Rate Since 2009

Businesses will save $30 million in unemployment taxes next year

The Maine Department of Labor has released the 2016 Unemployment Insurance Tax Rate Schedule. Rates will drop to the Schedule B level, the lowest rate since 2009. This drop represents an approximate 21 percent decrease in unemployment taxes paid per employee.

The 2016 Rates per $1,000 paid an employee

• Minimum rate will be 0.57 percent
• The maximum rate is 5.40 percent
• The average rate, which is also the new employer rate, will be 2.04 percent.

Examples:

• Employers paying the minimum rate will see an annual decrease of $20.40 in taxes per employee paid at least $12,000 in wages.
• Employers paying the average rate will see a decrease of $67.20 per employee.
• Employers paying the maximum rate will see a decrease of $175.20 per employee.

Employers should receive their individual 2016 rate notices in mid-to-late December. Employers with questions about their 2015 or 2016 unemployment contributions should visit the department’s webpage on unemployment taxes at http://www.maine.gov/labor/unemployment/tax.html or call (207) 621-5120.

Maine Department of Labor Announces 2016 Raise in White Collar Salaried Worker's Salary Threshold

Salaried Workers and Overtime Eligibility

On June 30, 2015, the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL) announced a proposed rule to raise the threshold under which most salaried workers are guaranteed overtime. As proposed, the new rule would raise the salary threshold for “white collar” workers from $455 a week ($23,660 a year) to a projected level of $970 a week ($50,440 a year) starting sometime in 2016.

The proposed rules will impact state statutes as well. The annualized rate established by USDOL under the FLSA is currently enforced in Maine.

Neither job titles nor a white collar employee being paid on a salary alone determines exempt status from the FLSA's minimum wage and overtime requirements. For an exemption to apply, an employee's specific job duties and salary must meet all of the applicable requirements.

FLSA Things to Know

• Most covered non-exempt workers must receive at least minimum wage and overtime for hours worked over 40 in a workweek.
• Certain white collar executive, administrative, and professional employees are excluded from these minimum wage and overtime requirements. As are certain computer professionals and outside sales employees.
• A copy of the 259 page notice.

USDOL is Also

• Proposing to automatically update the standard salary.
• Soliciting suggestions on the current duties for additional occupation examples.
• Requests comments on the current requirements.
• Seeking comment on the possibility of including non-discretionary bonuses to satisfy a portion of the standard salary requirement.

Public comments are accepted from July 6 through September 4, 2015.