Colorado landscaper penalized for violating H-2B workers’ rights
What is OSHA and does it regulate my business? The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is a federal agency responsible for ensuring workplace safety. In many states, OSHA regulates businesses directly. However, some states, including Minnesota, regulate businesses themselves. In Minnesota, most workplace safety regulation is handled by the Minnesota Occupational Safety and Health…
Read MoreRecently, a Hastings landscaper who failed to properly secure an 1100-pound boulder in a his truck caused the deaths of two other motorists. While tragic, the accident is a reminder of the importance of knowing and abiding by Minnesota and Federal laws about securing loads in commercial vehicles. Minn. Stat. 169.81, subd. 5 requires drivers…
Read MoreMechanics’ liens protect landscapers, construction companies, and many other businesses against the risk of nonpayment. If a landowner refuses to pay for improvements made to their property, the business can often file a lien on the property. Filing a lien frequently incentivizes payment. If the landowner still doesn’t pay after the lien is filed, the…
Read MoreMany green industry companies rely on H-2B visas to hire seasonal workers from outside the U.S. H-2B workers are covered by the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA), and the H-2B program imposes additional requirements on employers, such as providing records, paying certain expenses, and posting legal notices about worker rights. As one Colorado landscaper recently…
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