Press Releases

The N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL) and Barringer Construction celebrated the completion of the safety and health construction partnership for the building of a foundry known as Charlotte Pipe and Foundry. Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson presented company officials with a certificate at the closing ceremony on Tuesday, March 28, after giving brief remarks. 

Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson released the following statement regarding Medicaid Expansion:


“I would like to commend the N.C. General Assembly on their work and collaboration in making Medicaid Expansion happen in North Carolina. This legislation gives at least 500,000 North Carolinians healthcare coverage that they so badly need. This legislation will also create an incentive for individuals to enter the workforce without fear of losing their healthcare coverage.

Safety is engrained in every aspect of life. For some, it is a way of life. This is the case at Sonoco Recycling in Jacksonville and Wilmington. The two sites received their first Carolina Star recertification awards Wednesday, March 1. As Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson said during his visit to both sites, “Safety is not just a part of the culture, safety is the culture at the Sonoco Recycling facilities in Jacksonville and Wilmington.” 

Struck-by incidents and falls from elevation caused the largest number of non COVID-19 work-related deaths last year in the Tar Heel state, based on preliminary information released today by the N.C. Department of Labor (NCDOL). The department’s Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division inspected 63 non COVID-19 work-related fatalities that occurred in 2022. The division also inspected three cases reported as deaths related to COVID-19.

On Friday, Dec. 9, Labor Commissioner Josh Dobson visited the construction site of North Carolina’s first “net-zero energy” domestic violence shelter. Amy’s Closet, Lincoln County’s non-profit for domestic violence protection funding, has been raising money for almost 10 years to be able to build this building. 

New figures released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, show the nonfatal workplace injury and illness rate for North Carolina’s private industry remains at a historic low for 2021 with a rate of 2.2 cases per 100 full-time workers. This is significantly lower than the national rate of 2.7.

On Tuesday, Nov. 29, Croasdaile Village Retirement Community was awarded for its participation in the N.C. Department of Labor’s (NCDOL) Safety and Health Achievement and Recognition Program (SHARP) for continuing to develop and uphold extraordinary health and safety standards. The award was presented during a ceremony held at the Durham facility operated by United Methodist Retirement Homes (UMRH) Inc.

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.

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.