Carnival Safety Update

September 18, 2012

Does the state allow operators to use the "Walk-On-Water" or "Water Walking Balls"?

Some types are prohibited and some are allowed. The water balls that are completely closed off to the outside are not allowed. The Department enforces this policy based on the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) report suggesting states prohibit the use of these devices. View the report from CPSC to see a picture of the type of balls that are prohibited. The water ball devices which are open and allow a free exchange of air and must allow the occupant to readily exit the device in an emergency are allowed.

See more Frequently Asked Questions about Carnival Safety

Statement from Illinois Department of Labor Director on Labor Day

September 14, 2012

Department to Enforce Strengthened Equal Pay Act starting January 1, 2013

September 7, 2012

The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) is highlighting a recent change to the State's Equal Pay Act that will now hold officers and agents of a company accountable when an employer is found to have failed to pay workers equal wages for equal work. Governor Pat Quinn recently signed legislation (P.A. 97-0903) that adds individual liability under the Act, effective January 1st, 2013. This amendment will strengthen the Department's enforcement authority towards ensuring pay equity in the workplace. Learn more about the amendment to Illinois' Equal Pay Act. For more information on the Act or to file a complaint, call the Department's Equal Pay hotline at 1-866-EPA-IDOL.

Attention Prime Staffing Employees

The Illinois Department of Labor has received a number of complaints and inquires regarding Prime Staffing and possible violations of the Illinois Wage Payment and Collection Act. The Department is expediting its investigation into the matter.

Workers who have not received wages for work performed can file a claim with IDOL by downloading a complaint form online at: http://www.state.il.us/agency/idol/forms/pdfs/IL452WC02.PDF.

Complaint forms are also available in English, Spanish and Polish at IDOL offices located at 160 N. LaSalle Street, Suite C-1300, Chicago IL 60601.

http://www.state.il.us/AGENCY/IDOL/forms/pdfs/Wage_Theft_FactSheet.pdf

Claims can be faxed (fax 312-814-1210) or mailed.

Zip Line Coverage under the Carnival and Amusement Rides Safety Act

Zip lines fall under the purview of the Carnival and Amusement Rides Safety Act and are, therefore, subject to inspection by the Department of Labor. Zip lines should not be in operation without the proper permit. View the application for inspection. For further information or inquiries, please contact the Carnival and Amusement Ride Safety Division at 217-558-7194.

Equal Pay for Equal Work — It's the Law

The Illinois Department of Labor has enforced the state's Equal Pay Act since 2004, handling nearly 600 cases and recovering more than half a million dollars in wages owed to workers who had not received equal pay for equal work.

If you feel you have not received equal pay for doing the same work, contact the Department on its Equal Pay Hotline: 1-866-EPA-IDOL (372-4365). The Department receives an average of 1500 calls annually on the Department's Hotline with questions about unpaid wages.

To draw attention to the wage gap that persists between men and women in the workforce, Department officials joined hundreds of people on April 17 to mark national Equal Pay Day at a rally in Daley Center Plaza, Chicago. The date marks how far into the current year a woman must work, on average, to earn as much as a man earned the previous year. Governor Pat Quinn proclaimed April 17 as Equal Pay Day in Illinois to increase awareness of the state's equal pay law and to underscore the importance of pay equity between men and women who do the same work.

OSHA Revises Hazard Communication Standard

OSHA has revised its Hazard Communication Standard, aligning it with the United Nations' Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS).

The revisions include:

1. revised criteria for classification of chemical hazards;
2. revised labeling provisions that include requirements for use of standardized signal words, pictograms, hazard statements, and precautionary statements;
3. a specified format for safety data sheets; and
4. related revisions to definitions of terms used in the standard, and requirements for employee training on labels and safety data sheets.

OSHA is also modifying provisions of other standards, including standards for flammable and combustible liquids, process safety management, and most substance-specific health standards, to ensure consistency with the modified Hazard Communication Standard requirements.

For more information, please see:

• Final Rule on the OSHA site.
• OSHA's Hazard Communication Safety and Health Topics
• The OSHA News Release

State Honors Occupational Safety and Health Safety Administrator with Governor's Award

Department Recognizes Former Administrator of Region V Michael Connors at Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety and Health (DIOSH) Day in Peoria.

SPRINGFIELD – March 5, 2012. The Illinois Department of Labor (IDOL) today recognized Michael Connors for his contributions towards ensuring the health and safety of Illinois workers for nearly four decades. The first Governor's Occupational Safety and Health Award was presented to Mr. Connors on Feb. 29 at the Downstate Illinois Occupational Safety and Health (DIOSH) Day in Peoria.

Project Labor Agreement Reporting

All agencies that enter into project labor agreements are required to submit quarterly reports to the Illinois Department of Labor regarding the number of minorities and females employed under all agreements. The first submission is due by April 30, 2012 for the January 2012-March 2012 quarter.

View the reporting form. (or rtf format)

OSHA issues videos on construction hazards

The videos, available in English and Spanish, cover the following topics: falls, sprains and strains, struck-by accidents, carbon monoxide poisoning, and excavation.

Each video presents a worksite incident based on actual accidents that resulted in worker injury or death, followed by a summary of corrective actions for preventing these types of accidents. Most are animated and are about two to four minutes long.

• Videos in English
• Videos in Spanish

OSHA News Release. News Release.

Construction Apprenticeship Report Available Now!

Under the recently enacted State Construction Minority and Female Building Trades Act, all construction apprenticeship programs in Illinois are required to submit a report to the Illinois Department of Labor concerning the race, gender, ethnicity and national origin of apprentices participating in their programs. The Department has compiled the 2011 Construction Apprenticeship Report, which summarizes the demographic trends of the data received.

View the Construction Apprenticeship Report

Public Act 093-0912, Employer Notice of Change

This law amends the Juvenile Court Act of 1987. Employers may not ask if an applicant had a juvenile record expunged and that application for employment must contain specific language that states that the applicant is not obligated to disclose expunged juvenile records of arrest or conviction. Public Act 093-0912 or in HTML at the Legislature Web Site.

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