RALEIGH, N.C. — In a strategic move to bolster workplace protections across the state, the North Carolina Department of Labor (NCDOL) has announced a salary increase for compliance safety officers. Labor Commissioner Luke Farley revealed on Monday that the starting pay for fully qualified workplace safety inspectors will be elevated to $61,000 annually, representing a more than 5% increase for these essential frontline professionals.
Purpose and Broader Initiative
The salary enhancement is part of a comprehensive initiative spearheaded by Commissioner Farley aimed at improving workplace safety standards and ensuring more effective oversight across various industries within North Carolina.
“As Labor Commissioner, my top priority is keeping the working men and women of North Carolina safe and healthy on the job,” Farley stated. “By raising the starting pay for our compliance officers, we’re investing in the people who keep North Carolina’s workers safe. This is a down payment on safer job sites across our state.”
Role and Responsibilities of Compliance Safety Officers
Compliance safety officers, who operate within the Occupational Safety and Health (OSH) Division, are responsible for conducting inspections, responding to safety complaints, and ensuring adherence to both state and federal workplace safety regulations. Their work is vital in maintaining safe working environments for employees throughout North Carolina.
Funding and Implementation Details
The salary increase will be financed through a strategic reallocation of existing departmental resources, with no additional financial burden on taxpayers. Officials emphasize that this move aims to enhance recruitment efforts, improve retention rates, stabilize inspection teams, and strengthen the department’s capacity to fulfill its safety mission effectively.
Part of a Larger Safety Enhancement Plan
This salary adjustment is a key element of Commissioner Farley’s larger three-point plan to advance workplace safety. The broader strategy also includes filling current inspector vacancies, reducing wait times for voluntary safety inspections, and expanding recognition programs that commend exemplary safety practices among employers and workers.
Additional Resources
For more information about the NCDOL’s workplace safety initiatives and programs, visit www.labor.nc.gov.
