November 19, 2018   

U.S. Department of Labor Continues to Provide Support in Areas
Hardest Hit by Hurricane Michael
Returns to Normal Enforcement in Most of Florida and Georgia

ATLANTA, GA – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) continues to provide technical assistance and outreach in areas hit hardest by Hurricane Michael, and is returning to normal enforcement operations throughout most of Florida and Georgia.

In the storm’s aftermath, OSHA had ceased programmed-planned enforcement inspections in all impacted areas, and deployed safety and health professionals to assist employers and workers involved in recovery operations to eliminate serious hazards. To date, OSHA’s safety and health technical assistance has reached more than 2,400 workers, and on-site interventions have removed more than 600 workers from serious hazards. This work will continue in heavily impacted areas. OSHA continues to retain the right to perform enforcement inspections involving fatalities, catastrophic incidents, employee complaints, incidents involving life-altering injuries, and employers who repeatedly expose employees to serious hazards during cleanup and recovery activities.

OSHA will continue to suspend programmed-planned inspections and provide outreach and technical assistance to counties in Florida, including Bay, Calhoun, Franklin, Gadsden, Gulf, Liberty; and to counties in Georgia, including Decatur, Miller, and Seminole. Employers and employees working in these areas may call OSHA’s toll-free hotline at 800-321-OSHA (6742) or visit the agency’s website to reach Florida or Georgia representatives who can provide on-site assistance.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA’s role is to help ensure these conditions for America’s working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.

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Media Contacts:

Michael D’Aquino, 678-237-0630, daquino.michael@dol.gov 
Eric R. Lucero, 678-237-0630, lucero.eric.r@dol.gov

Release Number: 18-1841-ATL (325)

U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department’s Reasonable Accommodation Resource Center converts Departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal relay).