Saying they want to “educate before we regulate,” the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration — MIOSHA — is increasing its focus on workplace safety in the construction and manufacturing industries through two State Emphasis Programs, or SEPs, working to ensure compliance with workplace safety rules to mitigate COVID-19 transmission.
MIOSHA says that while coronavirus cases continue to climb across the state, they are implementing the new emphasis programs through February 8th of next year, increasing enforcement to help protect employees from hazards of the virus in the workplace.
Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan says, “Our goal is to educate before we regulate, and by MIOSHA increasing their presence in these industries where we see outbreaks, we can better ensure employers are following the MIOSHA Emergency Rules.” Egan adds, “We must remain vigilant to guarantee that Michigan’s businesses can stay open, workers can keep working, and we can continue to see economic recovery.”
Michigan has seen a sharp increase in cases across the state and outbreaks in both the construction and manufacturing industry, including 28 new outbreaks reported on November 12th, and the tracking of 63 ongoing outbreaks in those industries. Under the SEPs, MIOSHA staff will conduct random enforcement inspections at construction sites and manufacturing establishments. If the inspections determine there are deficiencies in the employer’s COVID-19 preparedness and response plans, citations and penalties up to $7,000 could be issued.
MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman says, “MIOSHA inspectors will evaluate the employer’s compliance with MIOSHA Emergency Rules along with guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as they pertain to protecting workers,” and reminds employers that “Certain safeguards must be in place to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and ensure the safety and health of all hardworking Michiganders.”
In the requirements posted at http://Michigan.gov/COVIDworkplacesafety and according to requirements of the CDC guidance and OSHA Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, a few of the steps that construction and manufacturing businesses must take include:
- Conducting daily health screenings of employees and contractors…
- Isolating those with symptoms, and quarantining close contacts…
- Requiring employees to wear face coverings…
- Implementing enhanced cleaning protocols when employees or the public become sick…
- Maintaining compliance with social distancing…
- Ensuring that they have and use a preparedness and response plan…
The MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division will use outreach activities as an opportunity to raise awareness among employers, employees and safety and health professionals on the best practices for COVID-19 preparedness and response plans in the SEP identified industries. CET consultants are available to help employers develop and implement long-term safety and health programs and comply with current MIOSHA regulations. For free statewide assistance, companies can call the CET Division at 517-284-7720 or toll-free at 800-866-4674.
Employers and employees with questions regarding workplace safety and health may contact MIOSHA using the new hotline at 855-SAFE-C19 (855-723-3219).
