Posts for June 9, 2011

UNEMPLOYMENT APPLICATIONS STILL HIGH
Today in Manufacturing
Number of people seeking unemployment benefits hardly changed for second straight week, stuck at a high level that suggests a slowing job market ... continue

TRADE DEFICIT NARROWS IN APRIL
Today in Manufacturing
American companies sold more computers, heavy machinery and telecommunications equipment in foreign markets, pushing exports to a record high ... continue

WHITE HOUSE JOINS 'SKILLED JOBS' EFFORT
Quick Manufacturing News
President Obama has endorsed a plan by U.S. manufacturers to establish a credentialing program for vocational training at community colleges, to increase the pool of available skills like machining and welding. 'I hope the President doesn't stop here,' stated AMT president Douglas K. Woods said. 'More needs to be done to support this country’s manufacturers.' Click to continue

INDUSTRY APPLAUDS NATIONAL ATTENTION ON MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT
Quick Manufacturing News
Effort could help alleviate skilled workers shortage. Click to continue

OSHA STANDARDS CHANGES ESTIMATED TO SAVE EMPLOYERS MILLIONS OF HOURS, DOLLARS
Quick Manufacturing News
OSHA claims its new final rule, 'Standards Improvement Project -– Phase III,' can reduce employers' paperwork burden by 1.85 million hours annually; help simply and streamline standards; and save employers in excess of $43 million annually -– all without reducing worker protections. Click to continue

FITCH WARNS U.S. RISKS LOSING TOP CREDIT RATING
Quick Manufacturing News
Joins Standard & Poor's and Moody's in warning Click to continue

MAJOR GAS DEVELOPMENT COMING TO EASTERN UTAH
By Brandon Loomis - The Salt Lake Tribune
Federal land managers have approved a major new natural-gas development in eastern Utah’s Uinta Basin, overcoming air pollution concerns to permit 3,675 new wells.

U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Thursday announced the approval of Kerr-McGee Oil & Gas Onshore’s development in Uintah County’s Greater Natural Buttes area. The development has the potential to produce 6 trillion cubic feet of natural gas over 10 years, according to the Interior Department.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said the plan could generate 2,500 jobs during peak construction.
"With gasoline now reaching four dollars a gallon," Hatch said, "it is critical to develop cheaper alternatives such as natural gas that burn cleaner, lead to more jobs, strengthen our economy and ease the pain at the pumps for Utahns."

NEWS UTAH LABOR COMMISSION – ELECTRONIC FORM 123
Utah Labor Commission – Division of Industrial Accidents

The Utah Labor Commission and its Division of Industrial Accidents has released a new electronic version of Form 123, “Physician’s First Report of Injury” which is now readily available on our website. Physicians can complete and submit this new Form 123 on line. For ease, two submission methods are available online to file this form. Both methods allow physicians to complete and submit the form electronically, without having to print and mail the documentation. This is a more efficient process for physicians, and is highly compatible with the Division’s Electronic Data Interchange (“EDI”) program.

Information on to get started, along with the registration process, can be found on the Utah Labor Commission website, then selecting division of Industrial Accidents under the red “Easy On-Line 123 Form” icon at:

http://www.laborcommission.utah.gov/IndustrialAccidents/index.html

For more information, questions or comments please contact: Linda Duvall, (801) 530-6835 or
lduvall@utah.gov.