Federal - Executive Branch
News releases, reports, statements and associated documents from the U.S. Executive Branch, covering all aspects of the Obama administration including cabinet departments, federal agencies, regulatory and independent agencies.
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Principal Deputy Associate A.G. Mizer Delivers Remarks at Office of Juvenile Justice & Delinquency Prevention National Conference on Youth Justice
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following remarks on Nov. 19, 2024, by Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer at the Office Of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention National Conference on Youth Justice:
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Thank you so much, Brent. And thank you, Bryan, for your thoughtful words.
I want to take just a minute to talk about Bryan's inspiring leadership and what it has meant to me personally throughout my own career. I was a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens at the Supreme Court in 2003 when Bryan argued a case in the Court called
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following remarks on Nov. 19, 2024, by Principal Deputy Associate Attorney General Benjamin C. Mizer at the Office Of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention National Conference on Youth Justice:
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Thank you so much, Brent. And thank you, Bryan, for your thoughtful words.
I want to take just a minute to talk about Bryan's inspiring leadership and what it has meant to me personally throughout my own career. I was a law clerk to Justice John Paul Stevens at the Supreme Court in 2003 when Bryan argued a case in the Court calledNelson v. Campbell. Since we're not all lawyers here I won't bore you with the legal technicalities, but the case was about the ability of a death penalty inmate to challenge the inhumane manner in which Alabama planned to cut into his collapsed veins to execute him. Bryan argued the case brilliantly and managed to get a unanimous win for his client -- a remarkable outcome in a death penalty case. But what I remember most vividly is how much Justice Stevens praised Bryan's lawyering privately in chambers afterward. You were one of his favorite advocates, Bryan.
Then, much later in my career, I was watching Just Mercy, the movie about Bryan's life, and was brought to tears by the tremendous impact that he has had as an advocate. I resolved in that moment to get back to using my abilities as a lawyer to make a difference in a world that needs so much help. And it was not too long afterward that I returned to government and now get to work again with so many dedicated public servants -- like the tireless professionals in the Office of Justice Programs (OJP) and the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP). Thank you, Bryan, for making a difference in ways that aren't even known to you, and for all that you do on behalf of our country's youth.
I also want to thank Liz and Brent for their leadership in OJJDP and OJP. We're making huge strides in youth justice in America thanks in great part to the incredible work being spearheaded by their exceptional teams. I appreciate the passion and commitment of every member of OJJDP's staff. Our juvenile justice systems are stronger, and our nation is a better place for kids, because of the work you do.
A big thanks as well to the Federal Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention for co-sponsoring this conference, and for guiding our efforts at the federal level and charting a course for better serving the youth of this nation.
I'm also grateful to the many young people who are contributing to this convening by sharing their perspectives and recommendations. And I know we have family members here whose children have been affected by the justice system, as well as young people whose parents have been incarcerated. Your voices are critical to informing the discussions and presentations that we'll hear over the next two-and-a-half days.
And I want to thank our state, county, local, Tribal, and community stakeholders across the country. You have all been key partners, not only in bringing this event together, but in helping us realize our vision of a better future for young people, their families, and their communities.
I'm very pleased to be here, both to be part of the discussion about the state of youth justice in America and to celebrate 50 years of OJJDP's work on behalf of our nation's young people.
There's much to celebrate. Detention in juvenile facilities has fallen dramatically -- a 75% decline over more than two decades. And we've seen promising declines in violent crime nationwide, creating safer communities for our young people to learn, grow, and thrive.
This is remarkable progress that so many people in this room have helped to make possible, including the outstanding professionals at OJJDP. Together, we are opening doors for our young people -- expanding opportunities and strengthening public safety in the process.
But even as we lift up our achievements, we cannot lose sight of the fact that there is still so much left to do. As Bryan has written and spoken about so eloquently -- especially in his riveting book, "Just Mercy," which inspired the movie I mentioned -- racial disparities persist in the juvenile justice system. Youth continue to be prosecuted in adult court and placed in adult jails and prisons, posing grave risks to their safety and long-term well-being. Not to mention the terrible toll that gun violence is taking on youth. Firearms are the leading cause of death among children and teens -- and have been for the last four years. This is alarming and utterly unacceptable.
We are not done yet. Challenges remain -- serious challenges. But I look around this room, at the passion and dedication that each of you bring, and I am hopeful about the future.
The work to steer our young people toward success is powered by our partners in the field, so many of whom are joining us today. We are grateful for your determination and leadership. You inspire us at the Department of Justice to follow your wonderful example.
During my time at the Department, I have been proud to join the meetings of the Coordinating Council on Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, where we have brought together nationally renowned experts, community leaders, and federal partners to discuss the pressing issues in youth justice today. I have been very encouraged by the momentum that those discussions have generated. And I'm excited about the roadmap that we've developed together, which will soon be submitted to Congress.
In September, I was also proud to join Liz and her colleague Karhlton Moore, the Director of the Bureau of Justice Assistance, in Birmingham, Alabama. There, I had the privilege of announcing resources to fight hate crimes -- including OJJDP's terrific curriculum on addressing youth hate crimes and identity-based bullying. The curriculum was informed by 19 roundtable discussions with youth across seven states, and it was piloted in many communities. This new resource is designed to empower young people to change attitudes and behaviors to combat hate crimes and bullying.
Finally, I am so heartened by the fantastic work OJJDP is doing with its state and local partners to cement reform and ensure that youth who come into contact with the juvenile justice system are getting the support they need. The groundbreaking Continuums of Care initiative, launched earlier this year, will prevent young people from entering the juvenile justice system whenever possible. And it will help those involved in the system return to their communities prepared to succeed.
These are among the many ways the Department, led by OJJDP, is working to create a more just and developmentally sound juvenile justice system -- and to put kids on the path to a brighter future.
Again, this is a collective project, inspired and energized by advocates and experts, with support from those of us at the federal and state levels and by private partners dedicated to serving young people.
We are proud to be your allies in this vital work, and we are eager to continue building on the momentum -- generated over 50 years -- that each of you has helped to create.
I am grateful to you all for being such strong and steady champions for young people and for helping us to build safe and just communities throughout America.
Thank you again, and best wishes for a successful conference.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/speech/principal-deputy-associate-attorney-general-benjamin-c-mizer-delivers-remarks-office
Okla. U.S. Attorney: Patrick Dwyane Murphy Resentenced to Life in Prison for 1999 Murder in Indian Country
MUSKOGEE, Oklahoma, Nov. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma issued the following news release:
The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Patrick Dwayne Murphy, age 52, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life in prison for second degree murder in Indian country.
The charges arose from an investigation by the McIntosh County Sheriff's Department, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 5, 2021, Murphy was found guilty by a federal jury at trial of Murder
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MUSKOGEE, Oklahoma, Nov. 20 -- The office of the U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Oklahoma issued the following news release:
The United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Oklahoma announced that Patrick Dwayne Murphy, age 52, of Henryetta, Oklahoma, was sentenced to life in prison for second degree murder in Indian country.
The charges arose from an investigation by the McIntosh County Sheriff's Department, the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
On August 5, 2021, Murphy was found guilty by a federal jury at trial of Murder- Second Degree in Indian Country, Murder in Indian Country in Perpetration of Kidnapping, and Kidnapping Resulting in Death. According to investigators, Murphy and two others attacked the victim in rural McIntosh County. Murphy stabbed, mutilated, and killed the victim with a knife. The crimes occurred in McIntosh County, within the boundaries of the Muscogee (Creek) Nation Reservation, and in the Eastern District of Oklahoma.
On May 10, 2022, Murphy was sentenced to life on all three charges. In May 2024, the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals vacated the kidnapping convictions and remanded the case for resentencing on the second degree murder conviction.
The Honorable Ronald A. White, Chief District U.S. Judge in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma, presided over the resentencing hearing. Murphy will remain in the custody of the U.S. Marshals Service pending transportation to a designated United States Bureau of Prisons facility to serve a non-paroleable sentence of incarceration.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Jarrod Leaman represented the United States.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/usao-edok/pr/patrick-dwyane-murphy-resentenced-life-prison-1999-murder-indian-country
NORAD Air Defense Exercise Over Riverside, Calif.
PETERSON AFB, Colorado, Nov. 20 -- The North American Aerospace Defense Command issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will conduct a planned live-fly air defense exercise near Riverside, California, today.
NORAD F-16s and general aviation aircraft from the Civil Air Patrol will participate in the exercise. Aircraft will operate at approximately 8,500 feet and will likely be visible to the public.
NORAD routinely conducts air defense exercises using a variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings and
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PETERSON AFB, Colorado, Nov. 20 -- The North American Aerospace Defense Command issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) will conduct a planned live-fly air defense exercise near Riverside, California, today.
NORAD F-16s and general aviation aircraft from the Civil Air Patrol will participate in the exercise. Aircraft will operate at approximately 8,500 feet and will likely be visible to the public.
NORAD routinely conducts air defense exercises using a variety of scenarios, including airspace restriction violations, hijackings andresponding to unknown aircraft to test responses, systems and equipment. All NORAD exercises are carefully planned and are closely controlled.
The defense of Canada and the United States is NORAD's top priority. Operation NOBLE EAGLE is the name given to air sovereignty and air defense missions in North America. For more than 65 years, NORAD aircraft have identified and intercepted potential air threats to North America in the execution of the command's aerospace warning and aerospace control missions.
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Original text here: https://www.norad.mil/Newsroom/Press-Releases/Article/3970852/norad-air-defense-exercise-over-riverside-calif/
Labor Dept.: Cost of Child Care for One Child Can Be More Than Rent in Some U.S. Counties
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
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Updated database shows families spend significant portion of income on childcare costs
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The newly updated National Database of Childcare Prices shows the price of child care for U.S. families is more than a month's rent for many, forcing parents with younger children to spend a significant portion of family income on these expenses, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today.
Sponsored by the department's Women's Bureau, the database includes county-level
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor Women's Bureau issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
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Updated database shows families spend significant portion of income on childcare costs
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The newly updated National Database of Childcare Prices shows the price of child care for U.S. families is more than a month's rent for many, forcing parents with younger children to spend a significant portion of family income on these expenses, the U.S. Department of Labor announced today.
Sponsored by the department's Women's Bureau, the database includes county-levelmedian prices for center- and home-based providers for children from ages 0 to 12. It covers prices from 2008 to 2022 in 48 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico, making it the most comprehensive public federal source of childcare prices at the county level.
The latest finding follows the addition of prices from 2019 to 2022 and an analysis of childcare prices in 2,512 U.S. counties.
"The fact that the median cost of center-based infant care is more than the median cost of rent should be of urgent concern," said Women's Bureau Director Wendy Chun-Hoon. "Families are struggling and women are disproportionately impacted. We know interventions like the American Rescue Plan have helped, but more federal investments are needed to ensure child care is accessible and affordable for all."
Nationwide, the NDCP finds families spend between 8.9 percent and 16 percent of their median income for full-day care for one child with 2022 annual prices ranging from $6,552 to $15,600. The counties where center infant prices demand the highest share of median family income include Stearns County, Minnesota; Bronx County, New York; Piute County, Utah; Essex County, Vermont; Grays Harbor and Wahkiakum counties in Washington; and Guanica County, Puerto Rico.
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Explore the NDCP website to learn more (https://www.dol.gov/agencies/wb/topics/childcare).
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REPORT: https://www.dol.gov/sites/dolgov/files/WB/ImpactCovidChildcareSector.pdf
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Original text here: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/wb/wb20241119
Justice Dept.: Two Former West Virginia Corrections Officers Plead Guilty to Federal Civil Rights Charge Following Death of An Inmate
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Two former corrections officers from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, pleaded guilty for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Johnathan Walters pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.'s civil rights which resulted in the death of Q.B. Corey Snyder pleaded guilty today to the same offense.
According to court documents filed in connection with the guilty
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Justice issued the following news release on Nov. 19, 2024:
Two former corrections officers from the Southern Regional Jail in Beaver, West Virginia, pleaded guilty for their roles in an assault that resulted in the death of an inmate, identified by the initials Q.B., on March 1, 2022. Johnathan Walters pleaded guilty yesterday to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.'s civil rights which resulted in the death of Q.B. Corey Snyder pleaded guilty today to the same offense.
According to court documents filed in connection with the guiltypleas, Snyder responded to a call for officer assistance after Q.B. tried to push past another correctional officer and leave his assigned pod. When Snyder arrived, officers were using force to restrain and handcuff Q.B. Snyder also began using force, including putting his arm around Q.B.'s neck and taking him to the floor. Snyder and other officers then conspired to violate Q.B.'s civil rights by unlawfully punishing Q.B. to retaliate against him for his attempt to leave the pod. As a part of that conspiracy, officers brought Q.B. to an interview room, where Walters joined them. In the interview room, the officers used unreasonable force against Q.B. Specifically, officers struck Q.B. in the head multiple times, kicked, knee-struck, pulled and twisted Q.B.'s finger and sprayed Q.B. with O.C. spray, all while Q.B. was restrained, handcuffed and posed no threat to anyone.
After the unreasonable use of force in the interview room, officers transported Q.B. to A-Pod. During the transport to A-Pod, Q.B. became limp and was unable to walk on his own. Officers then carried Q.B. by his arms and legs down the hallway to A-Pod. Walters carried Q.B. by one of his arms, leading his co-conspirators and Q.B. to the pod. At the door to A-Pod, Walters admitted to using unjustified force by swinging Q.B.'s head into the metal door and using the force from Q.B.'s head to push open the door.
Snyder and Walters each further admitted knowing that the interview room to which officers brought Q.B. was a "blind spot" at the jail -- meaning, there were no surveillance cameras to record what happened inside the room. Each also admitted to being aware that, prior to the assault of Q.B. on March 1, 2022, officers brought inmates and pretrial detainees who had engaged in misconduct to "blind spots" in the jail, where officers would use unreasonable force without being captured on video.
According to their plea agreements, Snyder and Walters each face a maximum penalty of 30 years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000.
Snyder and Walters are two of six former correctional officers indicted by a federal grand jury in November 2023 in connection with the death of Q.B. Three of those six defendants previously pleaded guilty in connection with the use of unreasonable force against Q.B. On Aug. 8, 2023, Ashley Toney and Jacob Boothe each pleaded guilty to violating Q.B.'s civil rights by failing to intervene when other officers used unreasonable force. On Nov. 13, Mark Holdren pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to violate inmate Q.B.'s civil rights which resulted in the death of Q.B. Sentencing hearings for Boothe, Toney and Holdren are scheduled for Feb. 5, 2025.
Trial for the remaining defendant is scheduled for Dec. 10. The remaining defendant faces charges related to the cover-up of the unreasonable uses of force which caused bodily injury to and the death of Q.B.
Prior to the indictment, on Nov. 2, 2023, former Southern Regional Jail correctional officers Steven Nicholas Wimmer and Andrew Fleshman each separately pleaded guilty to conspiring with other officers to use unreasonable force against Q.B in connection with this incident. Sentencing hearings for Wimmer and Fleshman are scheduled for Feb. 7, 2025.
Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division, U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson for the Southern District of West Virginia and Special Agent in Charge Kevin P. Rojek of the FBI Pittsburgh Field Office made the announcement.
The FBI Pittsburgh Field Office, Charleston Resident Agency, is investigating the case.
Deputy Chief Christine M. Siscaretti and Trial Attorney Tenette Smith of the Justice Department's Civil Rights Division and U.S. Attorney William S. Thompson for the Southern District of West Virginia are prosecuting the case.
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Original text here: https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/two-former-west-virginia-corrections-officers-plead-guilty-federal-civil-rights-charge
Department of Labor Recovers Over $1.4M in Back Wages, Damages for 36 Mexican Engineers Employed by General Dynamics Subsidiary in San Diego
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division issued the following news release:
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National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. paid US workers in pesos in violation of federal law
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SAN DIEGO - The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $1.4 million for 36 Mexican engineers employed in San Diego by a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp., one of the world's largest defense contractors, that paid them in Mexican pesos below the federal minimum wage rate in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The department's Wage and Hour Division found National
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 -- The U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division issued the following news release:
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National Steel and Shipbuilding Co. paid US workers in pesos in violation of federal law
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SAN DIEGO - The U.S. Department of Labor has recovered more than $1.4 million for 36 Mexican engineers employed in San Diego by a subsidiary of General Dynamics Corp., one of the world's largest defense contractors, that paid them in Mexican pesos below the federal minimum wage rate in violation of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The department's Wage and Hour Division found NationalSteel and Shipbuilding Co. - one of three shipyards in the Marine Systems group of General Dynamics that designs and builds auxiliary and support ships for the U.S. Navy - used the L-1B visa program to bring the affected workers to San Diego from a General Dynamics subsidiary in Mexicali, Mexico, to install power plants, engines and machinery; complete structures and finish and furnish ships' interiors.
The division's investigators learned NASSCO paid the engineers in pesos at Mexican pay rates to work an average of 42 hours or more weekly. They also determined the employer wrongfully treated the traveling workers' per diem and lodging costs as wages and did not maintain accurate time records for them. Investigators found that NASSCO owed the 36 engineers $719,135 in unpaid minimum and overtime wages, plus an equal amount in liquidated damages.
"General Dynamics NASSCO brought these specialized workers from Mexico to San Diego to build vessels for the U.S. Navy but failed to follow the federal wage regulations that protect anyone working in the U.S.," explained Wage and Hour Division District Director Min Park-Chung in San Diego. "The Wage and Hour Division works closely with the Consulate General of Mexico in San Diego to educate Mexican nationals about their rights as workers in the U.S. and ensure those who employ them understand and comply with the law."
In addition to paying the engineers their back wages and damages, NASSCO signed an enhanced compliance agreement that bars them from future federal labor law violations and requires they train employees who manage and supervise foreign workers with non-immigrant visas. NASSCO must provide notice to employees of their rights under FLSA and the Walsh-Healey Public Contracts Act.
The L-1B visa program enables employers to transfer professional employees with specialized knowledge from one of their affiliated foreign offices to their U.S. offices.
NASSCO is headquartered in San Diego and operates shipyards in Norfolk, Virginia; and Bremerton, Washington; and Mayport in Jacksonville, Florida. Its parent company, General Dynamics, is an aerospace and defense contractor employing more than 100,000 people worldwide and generated $42.3 billion in revenue in 2023.
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Original text here: https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases/whd/whd20241119
BLS Issues Report on Occupational Requirements in the United States - 2024
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following report (No. USDL-24-2361) on Nov. 19, 2024, entitled "Occupational Requirements in the United States - 2024":
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A sedentary strength level was required for 30.6 percent of workers in 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Workers requiring sedentary strength do not lift or carry more than 10 pounds and sit for at least two-thirds of their workday. The next lowest strength level, light strength, was required for 33.3 percent of workers. Workers requiring light strength
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WASHINGTON, Nov. 20 (TNSres) -- The U.S. Department of Labor's Bureau of Labor Statistics issued the following report (No. USDL-24-2361) on Nov. 19, 2024, entitled "Occupational Requirements in the United States - 2024":
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A sedentary strength level was required for 30.6 percent of workers in 2024, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported today. Workers requiring sedentary strength do not lift or carry more than 10 pounds and sit for at least two-thirds of their workday. The next lowest strength level, light strength, was required for 33.3 percent of workers. Workers requiring light strengthmay lift or carry up to 25 pounds. (See chart 1 and table 1.)
Specific vocational preparation (SVP) captures the minimum amount of preparation time needed to obtain the education, training, and experience required for a job. In 2024, a short demonstration lasting up to 4 hours was required for 1.7 percent of workers. Preparation time beyond a short demonstration and up through 1 month was required for 34.2 percent of workers.
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Chart 1. Percentage of workers with strength and SVP requirements, 2024
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For counter and rental clerks, 68.0 percent required a sedentary or light strength level and 77.3 percent required beyond a short demonstration and up through 1 month of preparation time.
For retail salespersons, 64.4 percent required a sedentary or light strength level and 76.9 percent required beyond a short demonstration and up through 1 month of preparation time.
For laundry and dry-cleaning workers, less than 0.5 percent required sedentary strength and 88.9 percent required light strength. Preparation time beyond a short demonstration and up through 1 month was required for 89.8 percent of these workers.
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The Occupational Requirements Survey captures information on job requirements in the following categories: physical demands; environmental conditions; education, training, and experience; as well as cognitive and mental requirements. Each category is highlighted below.
Cognitive and mental requirements
Verbal interactions are separated into two categories: interactions with people who work for the same employer (internal) and interactions with people who do not work for the employer (external), including the general public, vendors, contractors, or delivery people. Internal verbal interactions were required at least once per hour, but not every few minutes for 50.1 percent of workers and external verbal interactions were required at least once per hour, but not every few minutes for 24.2 percent. (See chart 2 and table 2.)
* Verbal interactions with other workers (internal) were required at least once per hour for 27.9 percent of short order cooks and every few minutes for 66.7 percent.
* Verbal interactions with the public (external) were required at least once per hour for 10.4 percent of cashiers and every few minutes for 89.6 percent.
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Chart 2. Percentage of workers by cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
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Education, training, and experience
On-the-job training was required for 80.9 percent of civilian workers to perform their job and prior work experience was required for 42.9 percent. (See chart 3 and table 3.)
* On-the-job training was required for 95.5 percent of stockers and order fillers and 97.4 percent of waiters and waitresses.
* Prior work experience was required for 58.6 percent of mechanical drafters and 73.7 percent of human resources assistants.
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Chart 3. Percentage of workers by education, training, and experience requirements, 2024
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Physical demands
Reaching overhead was required occasionally, or between 2 percent and 1/3 of the workday, for 21.6 percent of workers in 2024. Low postures were required occasionally for 36.7 percent of workers and fine manipulation was required occasionally for 53.0 percent. (See chart 4 and table 4.)
* Occasionally performing work in low postures was required for 85.5 percent of animal caretakers and 94.4 percent of helpers--installation, maintenance, and repair workers.
* Greater than 99.5 percent of merchandise displayers and window trimmers required fine manipulation occasionally and 89.5 percent of aircraft mechanics and service technicians.
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Chart 4. Percentage of workers by physical demands, 2024
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Environmental conditions
Exposure to hazardous contaminants was present for 5.8 percent of workers, performing critical tasks in close proximity to moving mechanical parts was present for 9.0 percent of workers, and working outdoors was required for 35.7 percent of workers. (See chart 5 and table 5.)
* Exposure to hazardous contaminants was present for 16.9 percent of workers in production occupations and for 36.2 percent of workers in installation, maintenance, and repair occupations.
* Exposure to the outdoors was present for 54.0 percent of workers in transportation and material moving occupations and 91.0 percent of workers in construction and extraction occupations.
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Chart 5. Percentage of workers by exposure to environmental conditions, 2024
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Technical Note
The Occupational Requirements Survey (ORS) provides job-related information about the physical demands; environmental conditions; education, training, and experience; as well as cognitive and mental requirements in the U.S. economy.
Additional job requirement estimates are available at http://www.bls.gov/web/ors/ors-completedataset.xlsx and http://www.bls.gov/ors/data.htm. For information on estimation concepts and methods, see the Handbook of Methods at http://www.bls.gov/opub/hom/ors/home.htm and
http://www.bls.gov/ors/questions-and-answers.htm. Some estimates in this release have been provided as ranges. Ranges represent estimates where the precise value cannot be published. More information is available in the range estimates factsheet at http://www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/rangeestimates.htm.
Sample size: The ORS is a nationally representative establishment-based survey. Estimates are produced from a probability sample of 15,000 establishments. There were 5,700 private industry and 1,300 state and local government responding establishments that provided approximately 26,100 occupational observations. The 2024 estimates represent 147,810,800 civilian workers.
The 2024 estimates are produced from one annual sample collected between August 2023 and July 2024 as part of the third wave of ORS. Estimates are preliminary until the entire third wave sample is collected and aggregated to produce final estimates.
Standard errors: To assist users in ascertaining the reliability of ORS estimates, standard errors are made available with the release. Standard errors provide users a measure of the precision of an estimate to ensure that it is within an acceptable range for their intended purpose. Collected and imputed data are included in the standard error calculation. For further information on standard errors and how to use them, see http://www.bls.gov/ors/se.htm.
Limitations: Estimates are subject to sampling error, which may cause the sampled results to differ from the true value of job requirements in all establishments, see the Handbook of Methods for more information. The ORS program advises against making comparisons with previously published ORS estimates. ORS estimates are not time series data and instead reflect job requirements for the published reference period.
Major terms: Below are selected major terms from the news release. For complete terms and definitions, see the collection manual at http://www.bls.gov/ors/information-for-surveyparticipants/pdf/occupational-requirements-survey-collection-manual-third-wave.pdf.
* Critical job function is the main purpose and the primary pay factor for the job. It consists of critical tasks that are integral to the job.
* Critical tasks are the activities workers must perform to carry out their critical job function.
* Specific vocational preparation is the minimum amount of preparation time required for workers to learn the techniques, acquire the information, and develop the aptitude needed for basic performance in a specific job.
* Strength levels reflect the amount of weight workers are required to lift or carry, how often, and whether standing or walking is required to perform critical tasks in the workday. See the strength levels factsheet at http://www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/strength.htm for more information.
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Table 1. Percentage of workers with strength and SVP requirements, 2024
Table 2. Percentage of workers by cognitive and mental requirements, 2024
Table 3. Percentage of workers by education, training, and experience requirements, 2024
Table 4. Percentage of workers by physical demands, 2024
Table 5. Percentage of workers by environmental conditions, 2024
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View original text plus charts and tables here: https://www.bls.gov/news.release/pdf/ors.pdf
