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. 

Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson will convene a meeting of the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Advisory Council on Thursday, May 12. The meeting—slated to begin at 10 a.m.—will be held in-person and virtually from the NCDOL Lake Boone Trail Office in Raleigh.

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.

Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson and MaryBe McMillan, President, North Carolina State AFL-CIO released the following statement regarding Workers’ Memorial Day 2022:

The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) recertified four City of Mount Holly departments/divisions as NCDOL Public Sector SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) sites during the City Council Meeting at City of Mount Holly Municipal Complex on Monday, March 14. These departments/divisions include the City of Mount Holly’s Public Utilities Department, Street and Solid Waste, Water and Wastewater Treatment Plants. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson provided brief remarks and presented the departments with certificates and a new flag.

The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) recertified the Town of Dallas’s Public Works Department, Public Utilities (Electric) Department, Water and Wastewater (Sewer) Treatment Plants as NCDOL Public Sector SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) sites during the Town of Dallas Board of Aldermen monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 8. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson provided brief remarks and presented the departments with certificates and a new flag.

On Wednesday, March 2, Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson presented Boon Edam with an award designating their Lillington manufacturing facility as a N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) site. Boon Edam is a Netherlands-based manufacturer of revolving doors, high security doors, security turnstiles and access gates.

Under a bright sun and with spring-like weather, the ceremonial SHARP flag was presented in front of the facility to the nearly 100 employees in attendance. Dobson spoke about North Carolina’s focus on workplace safety.

The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) today announced the repeal of the COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for Healthcare, effective March 4. The Healthcare ETS has been in effect in North Carolina since July 21, 2021 and was adopted verbatim from the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) as required by North Carolina’s state plan agreement with OSHA. 

Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson released the following statement regarding the department’s decision:

On Tuesday, Feb. 22, officials from the N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) and the N.C. Home Builders Educational and Charitable Foundation (Foundation) gathered for a contract signing event to officially mark the establishment of the Be Pro Be Proud pilot program. The program will be administered by the Foundation with oversight from NCDOL.

HARRISBURG — The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) recognized the Town of Harrisburg Public Works Department with the designation as an NCDOL Public Sector SHARP (Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program) site during a luncheon at Cabarrus Country Club on Friday, Feb. 11. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson provided brief remarks and presented the department with a certificate and flag.

The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) is now accepting applications from businesses that qualify for a workplace safety award. This program has operated since 1946 and has become a valued tradition in workplaces throughout our state. 

Safety awards are given to companies that achieve above-average worker safety and health programs. Last year, NCDOL presented a total of 2,468 safety awards. Of those, 2,046 were gold awards and 382 were silver awards. In addition to safety awards, the department also presented 40 million-hour awards.