Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson will convene a meeting of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Advisory Council on Thursday, Nov. 3. The meeting—slated to begin at 10 a.m.—will be held in-person at Randolph Community College’s Continuing Education and Industrial Center.

The 11-member OSH Advisory Council is composed of safety and health professionals who advise, consult with and make recommendations to the commissioner of labor on matters associated with the administration of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of North Carolina.

Nestled among the mountains of Jackson County, Western Carolina University (WCU) sits at an elevation of more than 2,000 feet. One of its most iconic features is the original smokestack belonging to the now-decommissioned steam plant that, for more than a hundred years, provided electricity, heat and hot water to the entire campus. On Friday, Oct. 21, N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) Commissioner Josh Dobson visited WCU to celebrate the ribbon-cutting of a new two-story, state-of-the-art steam plant.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) Commissioner Josh Dobson presented Metcon, Inc. (Metcon) with a Building Star recertification award at the Raleigh office location. This is Metcon’s second recertification as a Building Star site. 

The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) recertified the city of Mount Airy as a participant in the Public Sector Star Program on Thursday, Oct. 6. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson attended the recertification ceremony at the Mount Airy municipal building to present the awards and congratulate city officials on the achievement. This is the city’s seventh recertification since joining the program. 

Cypress Glen Retirement Community earned recertification as a participant in the N.C. Department of Labor’s Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP) during a ceremony held at the company’s Greenville facility on Thursday, July 14. 

Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson attended the ceremony where he provided keynote remarks and presented the ceremonial SHARP flag to company leadership and employees. 

Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson released the following statement regarding the state budget bill:

“I commend the entire North Carolina General Assembly, along with House and Senate leadership, for their tireless efforts during the short session to present a proposed budget that works to help our great state and all North Carolinians.

Cintas Corp.’s Fire Protection Division Location F99 in Durham was recognized as a Carolina Star site during a ceremony on Thursday, June 9. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson provided keynote remarks and presented the Carolina Star award and flag to company leadership.
  
“Congratulations on receiving the Carolina Star award, which is the highest safety honor we bestow on employers,” Commissioner Dobson said. “We do this because we know it saves lives and prevents injuries, and to achieve Carolina Star status you have to have buy-in from everyone, not just management.”

LANXESS Corp.’s High Performance Materials (HPM) facility in Gastonia was recognized for their outstanding safety record by earning initial certification as a Carolina Star Site on Wednesday, June 1. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson provided keynote remarks and congratulated LANXESS on receiving its first Carolina Star certification.

Biogen RTP Bio was recognized for their outstanding safety record by being recertified for a second time as a Carolina Star Site at the Research Triangle Park (RTP) facility on Thursday, May 26. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson provided keynote remarks and commended Biogen for its continued commitment to workplace health and safety.  

Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson was honored with the Distinguished Alumni Award at the second annual Alumni Awards Ceremony held on Monday, May 9, at the McDowell Technical Community College (MTCC) Crane Resistoflex Auditorium.

Commissioner Dobson emphasized the lasting impact MTCC had on his career. The educational opportunities offered by the North Carolina Community College System are an integral part of his continued success as a public official.