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July 2014
 
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.

Minnesota's minimum-wage increases Aug. 1, first time in nearly a decade

Minnesota's minimum-wage rates rise up to $8 an hour beginning
Aug. 1, 2014. It's the state's first wage increase in nearly a decade.

In the coming two years, the new law will move wage rates higher in August 2015 and again in August 2016 when the top rate goes to $9.50 an hour. In January 2018, the rate will be indexed to inflation based on economic conditions.

"Minnesotans who work full-time should be able to earn enough money to lift their families out of poverty and achieve the American Dream," said Gov. Mark Dayton. "Raising the minimum wage will improve the lives of more than 325,000 hard-working Minnesotans. I thank the Legislature for recognizing the need to make work pay in Minnesota."

"This is good news for Minnesota's lowest-wage workers and will help them earn more to provide for their families," said Ken Peterson, commissioner, Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry. 

MNOSHA provides information to keep employers, employees safe in summer
From July 2014 Safety Lines

While most Minnesotans are happy to see winter go, severe weather during the summer can still pose a serious threat to workers. Minnesota OSHA, federal OSHA and other organizations have a wealth of information available to help employers and employees prepare, react and respond during hot weather, tornadoes and floods. Learn more ...
  
UnderConstruction program conducts open house events

UnderConstruction hosted its annual open house event July 24, 2014, at its the St. Paul Frogtown worksite. More than 60 contractors, union training programs, government and school officials had the chance to tour the site and chat with the interns about their future plans in construction.

The program is training 36 youth from the ages of 15 to 21 at three different sites. The students are building garages in St. Paul's Frogtown neighborhood and porches and decks in North Minneapolis.
 

During the eight-week, paid experience (in the earn-as-you-learn-apprenticeship-model) students perform various aspects of carpentry, cement masonry, block-setting, roofing and siding under the guidance of a construction lead trainer and a youth manager.

 
Flint Hills Resources becomes first-ever PRO-10 certified worksite

Commissioner Ken Peterson was on hand July 29 to congratulate Flint Hill Resources for becoming the first-ever PRO-10 certified worksite in Minnesota. The worksite has 2,400 contract employees.
  
PRO-10 is a 10-hour professional development course tailored for the construction and building trades. It offers communications, customer relations, diversity and a variety of safety classes. The goal is to build a professional environment at construction worksites and help attract the best and the brightest to a career in the construction industry. 
 
New Minnesota building code takes effect January 2015

DLI anticipates it will adopt the 2012 International Code Council (ICC) construction model codes and Minnesota specific amendments in January 2015.

As a result, DLI will skip the 2015 model code adoption cycle and will plan to pursue the ICC's  2018 model codes for Minnesota. The decision to skip the 2015 cycle was made after much
feedback from the construction industry members who preferred the stability of working with the new codes for another four to six years.

"This will provide the construction industry with more time to develop the most cost-efficient means to comply with the soon-to-be adopted 2012 code," said Ken Peterson, DLI commissioner. "It will save time and money in repeat purchases of code books, associated standards, training manuals and education programs."


Saint Paul Area Electrical JATC creates skilled workers

The Saint Paul Area Electrical Joint Apprenticeship Training Committee (JATC) apprenticeship program is an 8,000 hour training program that was approved by the Minnesota Division of Apprenticeship as a registered apprenticeship program May 5, 1941.

The program requires apprentices to complete 200 hours of related training curriculum and 50 hours of safety training during each year of their apprenticeship. In addition to the related training, apprentices receive on-the-job electrical training under the supervision of qualified and licensed journeyworker electricians. Read more about the training program in the Apprenticeship Works newsletter.

Related: View an online photo slideshow from the Saint Paul Area Electrical JATC.


Percentage of minority apprentice graduates is at 10-year high
The percentage of minority graduates of registered apprenticeship programs in Minnesota is shown. In 2003, 6.1 percent of apprenticeship program graduates were minorities. At the close of 2013, minorities made up 11 percent of total graduates.
Stand-down events highlight fall prevention at worksites

Falls from elevation accounted for more than one-third of all construction fatalities recorded in 2012 nationally. To shine a light on the issue and stop such occurrences, Minnesota OSHA Workplace Safety Consultation (WSC) participated in multiple "stand-down" events across Minnesota as part of the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction.
 
During the first week of June, construction employers across the state and nation were asked to halt work and "stand-down" to discuss fall prevention. WSC consultants were invited to participate and conducted multiple "toolbox talks" on small- and large-project construction worksites. Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry Commissioner Ken Peterson and WSC management were also invited to and participated in stand-down events at M.A. Mortenson and
J.E. Dunn construction sites.
 
As a result of these efforts, the fall-prevention message was shared with more than one million construction workers across the United States. View photos from the events (page 13 and 14).
2014 National Electrical Code is in effect for electrical work


The 2014 National Electrical Code (NEC) became effective statewide July 1, 2014.

Electrical work covered by permits issued after July 1, 2014, will be subject to the provisions of the 2014 NEC. Permits issued before July 1, 2014, where the electrical work began on or after July 1, 2014, will be subject to the provisions of the 2014 NEC. Jobs where the electrical work was in progress and the permit was filed before July 1, 2014, will continue to be inspected to the 2011 NEC. View Frequently Asked Questions about the 2014 NEC.
New documents for injured workers explain dispute, settlement, hearing processes

To help injured workers become more informed about their workers' compensation claims, their disputes and the settlement and hearing process, DLI now sends an injured worker a letter and an FAQ sheet after an Employee's Claim Petition form has been filed on their behalf.

The letter explains the claim petition, the litigation process and the assistance offered by DLI's Vocational Rehabilitation unit. The FAQ sheet explains the litigation process and related terms; the FAQs are also online at www.dli.mn.gov/WC/FaqLitigation.asp.
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"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
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