 |
|
||||||
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Wanda Seeney (573) 751-7500
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: July 9, 2008
Gov. Blunt, Department of Labor Announce Flood-Relief Support for Employers
in Affected Counties
JEFFERSON CITY, MO – Gov. Matt Blunt and the Missouri Department of Labor and Industrial Relations recently announced that the Department’s Division of Labor Standards will offer Occupational Safety and Health Assistance, Wage and Hour Assistance, and Mine and Cave Safety Assistance to Missouri employers operating in the counties affected by the recent flooding.
“Missouri employers must have the proper resources during this time of need,” Gov. Blunt said. “We are working to ensure that staff is available in the affected counties to give advice to employers and construction contractors, and to distribute information regarding occupational safety and health hazards.”
The Division’s On-Site Health and Safety Consultation program will offer consultants who are available to provide employers with assistance related to occupational safety and health and who will be prepared with information packets designed specifically to educate employers about common hazards and risks that are frequent during the recovery of natural disasters. Consultants also will be available to assist employers with specific questions and quickly direct them to the appropriate resources without the fear of fines or citations.
The Division’s Wage and Hour staff will be available to attend meetings with SEMA or other agencies to provide educational outreach relating to compliance with Missouri’s Wage and Hour Laws. As needed, Wage and Hour staff will visit affected areas to assist public bodies and contractors with prevailing wage compliance on emergency contracts.
Although some types of contracted emergency and clean-up projects are not covered by Missouri’s Prevailing Wage Law, the law is still applicable to public works construction. The Division’s staff is available to assist public bodies and contractors with Prevailing Wage compliance as they begin construction projects to repair flood damaged roads, buildings and other structures. Any public body that does not have access to the prevailing wage rates should contact the Division of Labor Standards at (573) 751-3403 or visit our Web site at http://www.dolir.mo.gov/ls/forms/pw-3-AI.pdf to access a request form. The form can be faxed to (573) 751-3721 or sent via e-mail to prevailingwage@dolir.mo.gov.
“Public works” means all fixed works constructed for public use or benefit or paid for wholly or in part out of public funds. Workers employed by or on behalf of a public body, regardless of the funding source, should be paid the appropriate prevailing hourly rate of wage for the type of work performed.
The Division’s Mine and Cave Safety staff will also be available to conduct inspections of mines and caves that have been damaged by flooding to ensure that conditions are appropriate for resuming operations.
Assistance with any of the above matters can be obtained by contacting the Division of Labor Standards at (573) 751-3403 or via e-mail at: laborstandards@dolir.mo.gov.
###
Information and Planning · 421 East Dunklin
· P.O. Box 504 · Jefferson City, MO
65102-0504
573-751-7500 · 573-751-6552 (Fax)
Relay Missouri: 1-800-735-2966 (TDD) 1-800-735-2466 (Voice)