I am pleased to present to you the Virginia Department of Labor and Industry annual report. 2021 was a year of unprecedented challenges and one which emphasized the importance of our mission to promote safe, healthy workplaces in our Commonwealth. Our team of dedicated professionals continued to partner with a wide array of clients and stakeholders in support of best employment practices, job training opportunities through registered apprenticeships, the protection of children from hazardous employment, and the safe operation of boiler and pressure vessels, even as their work required creativity and flexibility in response to the uncertainties posed by the pandemic.

Registered Apprenticeship

The number of individuals receiving certificates of completion increased 38% over the previous year, from 1, 265 to 1,740. Similarly, the number of employers and sponsors participating in registered apprenticeship programs increased by 15%, from 2,333 to 2,678. At an average cost to the agency of $103 per year per registered apprentice served, the return on investment is appreciable.

COVID-19 Emergency Temporary Standard

On March 21, 2022, the Safety and Health Codes Board repealed the “Permanent Standard for Infectious Disease Prevention of the SARS-CoV-2 Virus that Causes Covid-19." This decision was widely welcomed as it signaled that Virginia was once again open for business.

Virginia Occupational Safety and Health (VOSH)

Safety and Health Compliance Officers performed 1,848 inspections which resulted in the identification and correction of approximately 11,580 hazards, investigated approximately 2,583 employee complaints and referrals, of which 612 resulted in inspections. Staff investigated 54 fatalities, down from 57 last year.

Cooperative Programs

Staff promoted increased safety awareness through consultation services and voluntary protection programs by responding to 323 requests from small employers looking to create or improve their injury and illness prevention programs. The Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (SHARP), Virginia STAR, Virginia Challenge, Virginia BUILT, and Building Excellence in Safety, Health, and Training (BEST), all promote exceptional safety and health management initiatives that go beyond minimum statutory and regulatory standards.

Labor and Employment Law

Staff handled more than 60,600 requests for assistance from the public, a 21% increase over the previous year; received 701 claims for unpaid wages and determined that $552,869 in unpaid wages were due to claimants; processed 26,479 employment certificate applications, a 43% increase over the previous year; investigated 1,169 employment certificate applications and 73 complaint reports of violations; and processed 269 applications for theatrical permits for youth performers.

Boiler and Pressure Vessel Safety

Staff issued approximately 32,350 certificates of inspection for boiler and pressure vessel equipment as part of our mandate to protect life, property, and infrastructure.

In addition to the external challenges for which our agency is continually prepared, we anticipate that the next year will require considerable work in the areas of human resources, information technology, and administrative and financial services. We are committed to attracting the best talent possible, and to modernizing our infrastructure and customer interfaces in order to improve the level of service we provide to our fellow Virginians.

Sincerely,

Gary G. Pan
Commissioner