NC Commissioner of Labor May 2023 Update
Josh Dobson
Spring is in full force, and I hope everyone is enjoying this beautiful weather and the extra hours of sunlight! My staff and I have had a busy month traveling the state attending events and safety awards banquets.
Safety Awards Banquet season is in full swing. During the month of April, I attended eight safety awards banquets, including several in the western part of our state. We have 10 banquets on the calendar for May. For more information about our safety awards program and how you can get your business involved next year, please contact Kiley Willard at 919-707-7855 or Kiley.willard@labor.nc.gov.
On April 13, I had the opportunity to attend the SHARP Construction Closing Ceremony at Novant Ballantyne. It was great to see this new medical facility near completion and the impact it will make on the community when it opens later this summer.
April 28, Workers’ Memorial Day, is a time to remember and honor the men and women who have tragically lost their lives while on the job. One core mission of the department is to ensure the safety and welfare of all North Carolinians, with the ultimate goal of returning workers home to their families safely at the end of the day. While workplaces are much safer than they were in the past, there is still work to be done and I remain committed to helping employers and employees further improve safety and health in the workplace.
The National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is May 1 – 5. Unfortunately, fatalities caused by falls from elevation continue to be a leading cause of death for construction workers. A safety stand-down is a voluntary opportunity for employers to take a break with employees to focus on various hazards and the importance of fall prevention. All interested employers are encouraged to participate. Find more information about this event and other special events going on throughout the year on the Occupational Safety and Health Division portion of our website – labor.nc.gov.
The month of May has two special days for us to remember. Mother’s Day is on May 14 this year. Please take the opportunity to wish the special women in your life a Happy Mother’s Day and thank them for all that they do. Memorial Day is May 29 and although this day marks the unofficial start of summer, we must remember this day is a time to honor the men and women who died serving in the United States military.
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Josh Dobson was sworn in as North Carolina’s 18th labor commissioner on Jan. 2, 2021, after serving eight years in the state House of Representatives. Dobson represented the 85th district covering Avery, McDowell and Mitchell counties located in the western part of the state. Prior to his service in the state House, Dobson served two years as a McDowell County Commissioner. Dobson is a native of McDowell County and currently resides in Nebo with his wife, Valerie, and his daughter, Kennedy.
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