In the week ending January 19, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 199,000, a decrease of 13,000 from the previous week's revised level. This is the lowest level for initial claims since November 15, 1969 when it was 197,000. The previous week's level was revised down by 1,000 from 213,000 to 212,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,000, a decrease of 5,500 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was revised down by 250 from 220,750 to 220,500.

NAPLES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Ad-Ler Roofing Inc. for exposing employees to dangerous falls at a Naples residential worksite, one month after similar violations were found at another worksite. The Fort Myers, Florida-based contractor faces penalties of $91,466.

MIAMI, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida entered a consent judgment and order between the U.S. Department of Labor and Kevin F. Kirkeide, a former chief financial officer for IOTC Financial Services LLC and Global Oil Financial Services LLC – both based in Boca Raton, Florida.

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has signed a strategic partnership agreement to promote worker safety and health during the construction of the Central Passenger Terminal Complex Modernization project at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - The U.S. Department of Labor has entered into a consent judgment with BUB Inc. - a franchise operator of Primo Hoagies’ locations in Philadelphia and Bensalem, Pennsylvania - to resolve overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, the judgment requires BUB Inc.

CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OH – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Wage and Hour Division (WHD), Unger’s Kosher Bakery Inc. – a bakery and grocery store based in Cleveland Heights, Ohio – has paid $80,726 in back wages to 27 employees for overtime and recordkeeping violations of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has posted new frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the agency’s standard for respirable crystalline silica in general industry.

CORAL GABLES, FL – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Compass Group USA Inc. – operating as Chartwells Dining – for exposing employees to burn and chemical hazards at its cafeteria in Coral Gables, Florida. The company faces $134,880 in penalties.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta issued the following statement regarding Martin Luther King, Jr., Day:

“Today, we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the birth of the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and his work to open opportunities to all Americans. As the Department of Labor observes Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, we are reminded of Dr. King’s belief in the dignity of work and that no job is insignificant.”

MIAMI, FL – After an investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor's Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA), the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida has sentenced Lanny Todd Fried – of Palm Beach Gardens, Florida – to 57 months in prison and 36 months of supervised release; and ordered him to pay a $81,163 fine for his role in a healthcare-related, money-laundering scheme.

HASTINGS, NE – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited Noah's Ark Processors LLC – based in Hastings, Nebraska – for process safety management violations after an employee suffered severe burns caused by exposure to anhydrous ammonia, a gas used as an industrial refrigerant. The beef processing plant faces penalties of $182,926 for 16 serious safety violations.

SAVANNAH, GA – Wilmington Senior Care LLC - operator of a senior living community in Savannah, Georgia – has paid $15,241 in back wages and liquidated damages to six employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation determined the employer violated overtime and recordkeeping provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

LITTLE ROCK, AR - The U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) will present an educational forum about developments in its policies and regulations, and its Payroll Audit Independent Determination Program (PAID), in Little Rock, Arkansas, on January 31, 2019.

In the week ending January 12, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 213,000, a decrease of 3,000 from the previous week's unrevised level of 216,000. The 4-week moving average was 220,750, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's unrevised average of 221,750.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced an opioid-crisis Dislocated Worker Grant (DWG) award to the New York State Department of Labor to provide disaster relief jobs and employment services to eligible individuals in New York counties impacted by the health and economic effects of widespread opioid use, addiction, and overdose. Funding has been approved up to $5,591,446 with an initial award of $1,863,815.

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor today announced the retirement of Assistant Secretary of Labor for Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs Katherine McGuire, after 25 years of public service.

"I want to thank Katherine McGuire for communicating the Department's work to policymakers both in Washington, and throughout the nation," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Alexander Acosta. "We wish Katherine well as she retires from a remarkable career serving the American people."

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has developed a collection of compliance assistance resources to address falls in the workplace, the leading cause of worker fatality in the construction industry. OSHA's goal is to promote awareness about common fall hazards in construction, educate job creators and workers on fall prevention, and reduce the number of fall-related injuries and fatalities.

DALLAS, TX – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has cited RKM Utility Services Inc. for failing to protect workers from hydrogen sulfide after an employee died after exposure to dangerous levels of the gas while working in a trench in Dallas, Texas.

JACKSONVILLE, FL – Stone World Imports and Manufacturing Inc. – a countertop installation company based in Jacksonville, Florida – has paid $49,269 in back wages to 21 employees after a U.S. Department of Labor's Wage and Hour Division (WHD) investigation determined the employer violated overtime provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA).

SUN PRAIRIE, WI – An investigation by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) into an explosion and fire in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, found that two utility contractors ­ – Bear Communications LLC of Lawrence, Kansas, and subcontractor V C Tech Inc. of Ypsilanti, Michigan­ – failed to establish the location of underground utilities prior to beginning excavation work.