Health Hazard Evaluation Program Needs Improvement
HRD-78-13: Published: May 18, 1978. Publicly Released: May 18, 1978.
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The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 established the health hazard evaluation program which requires the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare (HEW) to determine, when properly requested by employers or employees, whether substances in workplaces are toxic. The program is administered by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and requires that employers and employees be advised of the results of health hazard evaluations as soon as possible.
Although NIOSH estimates that millions of workers are exposed to thousands of cancer causing and other dangerous substances in their workplaces, it had received only 892 requests for health hazard evaluations in about 6 years. NIOSH has done little to publicize and promote the program, and officials believe that most employees and employers are not aware of either NIOSH or its health hazard evaluation program. After making health hazard evaluations, NIOSH takes a long time to prepare comprehensive, technical reports that recipients may not understand. Hazards could be identified and corrected sooner and NIOSH personnel could be used more effectively if reports were issued soon after the evaluations were made. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration headquarters does not have a policy, and its area offices do not have a program or procedures, for using hazard evaluation reports to plan inspections.
Oct 19, 2020
Fair Labor Standards Act:
Observations on the Effects of the Home Care RuleGAO-21-72: Published: Oct 19, 2020. Publicly Released: Oct 19, 2020.
Jun 22, 2020
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Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act:
Additional DOL Actions Needed to Help States and Employers Address Substance Use DisorderGAO-20-337: Published: May 21, 2020. Publicly Released: Jun 22, 2020.
Apr 14, 2020
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Job Corps:
DOL Should Provide Greater Transparency in Communicating Its Rationale for Closure DecisionsGAO-20-240R: Published: Apr 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Apr 14, 2020.
Feb 14, 2020
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National Mediation Board:
Additional Actions Needed to Fully Implement Prior GAO Recommendations and Improve Agency Management and OversightGAO-20-236: Published: Feb 14, 2020. Publicly Released: Feb 14, 2020.
Feb 10, 2020
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National Weather Service:
Information on Contractor Selection and Work Performed for Its Operations and Workforce Analysis ProjectGAO-20-271R: Published: Jan 30, 2020. Publicly Released: Feb 10, 2020.
Sep 9, 2019
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Job Corps:
Actions Needed to Improve Planning for Center Operation ContractsGAO-19-326: Published: Aug 8, 2019. Publicly Released: Sep 9, 2019.
Apr 10, 2019
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Priority Open Recommendations:
Department of LaborGAO-19-395SP: Published: Apr 3, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 10, 2019.
Apr 9, 2019
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Military Spouse Employment:
Participation in and Efforts to Promote the My Career Advancement Account ProgramGAO-19-320R: Published: Apr 9, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 9, 2019.
Apr 8, 2019
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Workforce Automation:
Better Data Needed to Assess and Plan for Effects of Advanced Technologies on JobsGAO-19-257: Published: Mar 7, 2019. Publicly Released: Apr 8, 2019.
Mar 28, 2019
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Employment and Training Programs:
Department of Labor Should Assess Efforts to Coordinate Services Across ProgramsGAO-19-200: Published: Mar 28, 2019. Publicly Released: Mar 28, 2019.
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