Labor and Workforce Development

2009 Fall Protection Safety Stand Down

Statewide Safety Event Planned for Construction Industry June 1st

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee Occupational Safety and Health Administration has partnered with several construction trade associations across the state to participate in the statewide Fall Protection Safety Stand Down. Participating employers will shut down their jobs on Monday morning, June 1, and train their employees on fall protection for approximately 45-60 minutes.

April 2009 County Unemployment Rates

Rates Increase in 29 Counties, Decrease in 59

NASHVILLE – Tennessee's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for April 2009 was released last week at 9.9 percent, 0.3 percentage point higher than the revised March rate of 9.6 percent. The United States’ unemployment rate for the month of April was 8.9 percent.
 
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for April 2009, released today, show that the rate increased in 29 counties, decreased in 59 counties and remained the same in seven counties.

MI Metals, Inc. Receives Workplace Safety Award

Company Earns Fourth Sharp Award

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley announced that MI Metals, Inc. in Smyrna was chosen to receive the SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) award.

April Unemployment Rate 9.9 Percent

Rate Up 0.3 Percentage Point from March

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Commissioner of Labor & Workforce Development James Neeley announced today Tennessee’s unemployment rate for April was 9.9 percent, up 0.3 percentage point from the revised March rate of 9.6 percent. The April rate a year ago was 6.0 percent. The national unemployment rate for April 2009 was 8.9 percent, up from the March rate of 8.5 percent.

Middle Tennessee Truss Receives Governor's Safety Award

Safety Record Dates Back to January 2007

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley announced that Middle Tennessee Truss in Cookeville was chosen to receive the Governor’s Award of Excellence for Workplace Safety.

Flexial Corporation Receives Governor's Safety Award

Safety Record Dates Back to January 2006

NASHVILLE – Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley announced that Flexial Corporation in Cookeville was chosen to receive the Governor’s Award of Excellence for Workplace Safety.

Tennessee OSHA Places Special Emphasis on Noise Protection

Noise Above 85 dBA May Cause Damage to Employees if Not Protected

NASHVILLE — Tennessee OSHA has instituted a Special Emphasis Program for occupational noise exposure and hearing conservation. This program has been established to focus statewide attention on occupational noise and to prevent occupational hearing loss in employees. Each day, thousands of workers are exposed on the job to excessive noise levels capable of causing permanent hearing loss.
 
“This special emphasis program has been put in place to help spread awareness to employers about the precautions they need to take to make sure their employees are not being exposed to noise that could injure them,” said TOSHA Consultation Program Manager Jim Cothron. 

March 2009 County Unemployment Rates

Rate Increases in 74 Counties, Decreases in 19

NASHVILLE – Tennessee's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for March 2009 was released last week at 9.6 percent, 0.6 percentage point higher than the revised February rate of 9.0 percent. The United States’ unemployment rate for the month of March was 8.5 percent.
 
County non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rates for March 2009, released today, show that the rate increased in 74 counties, decreased in 19 counties and remained the same in two counties.
Lincoln County registered the state's lowest county unemployment rate at 6.9 percent, down from 7.0 percent in February. Perry County had the state’s highest unemployment rate at 25.4 percent, up from 24.1 in February, followed by Scott County at 18.8 percent, up from 18.0 percent in February.

Governor Awards $225,996 in Job Training Grants Across State

13 Companies Awarded Grants, Training 700 Employees

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen and Tennessee Department of Labor & Workforce Development Commissioner James Neeley have recently awarded $225,996 in job training grants to 13 companies across the state. Incumbent Worker Training grants assist existing employers with training needs associated with skills upgrades for their employees. Over the past three years, Incumbent Worker Training grants have totaled more than $10 million to assist more than 37,000 employees.
 
 "Job training to upgrade the skills of Tennessee’s workers is one of the best things we can do for our economy," said Governor Bredesen. "Now more than ever, it is important to continue training our workforce to keep employees and companies competitive."

Recovery Act Helps Laid Off Workers and Low-Income Adults

Tennessee Programs Increase Participation and Benefits with Recovery Act Funds

NASHVILLE – Governor Phil Bredesen and Commissioner James Neeley announced today the availability of training funds to dislocated workers and low-income adults in Tennessee. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) provides a one-time appropriation to Tennessee of $21.2 million for dislocated workers and $9.2 million to low-income adults to pay for training and support services.  
 
“The training, particularly in emerging occupations, that will be provided with these Recovery Act funds will help prepare unemployed Tennesseans for new jobs at a time when that’s more important than ever,” said Bredesen.
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