Press Releases

A national campaign to promote workplace safety and health has been declared in North Carolina for the week of Aug. 9–15 by Gov. Roy Cooper and in conjunction with NCDOL, the state’s lead agency for workplace safety and health.

NCDOL today announces that North Carolina will adopt verbatim the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) for Healthcare. The ETS will become effective in North Carolina on July 21, 2021.

RALEIGH—NCDOL today announces the rollout of a new process for obtaining youth employment certificates that aims to streamline the process and better ensure youths are working in safe jobs. After a soft launch in April, the new process takes effect today, May 3.

“I’m heartbroken to learn of the tragic deaths of Watauga County Sgt. Chris Ward and Deputy Logan Fox.

“On Workers’ Memorial Day, we pause to remember the men and women who lost their lives while on the job. Each one of these deaths is a tragedy, not only for the worker’s family and friends, but also for their co-workers and community. Though workplaces are safer today than in the past, all lives are precious, and any life lost in the workplace is unacceptable. My mission as Labor Commissioner, and the goal of our dedicated staff at the N.C.

The N.C. Department of Labor is now accepting applications from businesses that qualify for a workplace safety award. 

Safety awards are given to companies that have above-average worker safety and health programs. 

Read this news release about the N.C. Department of Labor implementing Executive Order No. 95, Providing Paid Leave to Eligible State Employees, effective Feb. 1, 2021.

Read this new release about the Occupational Fatality Inspection Review (OFIR) courtesy of NCDOL's Planning, Statistics and Information Management Bureau.

Read about veteran NCDOL employee, Tommy Petty, who was named the new chief of the labor department’s Elevator and Amusement Device Bureau by Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson.

North Carolina native Josh Dobson, who was elected in November as the 18th state labor commissioner, was officially sworn into office Saturday, Jan. 2.
Commissioner Dobson today announces 11 appointments that will make up his leadership team.