MIOSHA eNews - March 2021

MIOSHA eNEWS banner

MIOSHA Ambassador Program surpasses 2,000 free consultations

Over 2,000 businesses across Michigan have participated in the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Ambassador Program since September 2020. MIOSHA in partnership with NSF International provides workplace safety ambassadors who help Michigan businesses better implement COVID-19 regulations and best practices. Overall, the Ambassadors have reported high rates of willingness to participate, compliance with COVID-19 workplace safety requirements, and eagerness to enhance protocols as suggested by the consultants.

To better capture the business response, a new MIOSHA video documents the Ambassador Program and highlights several Michigan businesses speaking about the benefits of the program.

Business testimonials

“This is one of those opportunities where the state is just here to help,” said Mike Stack, owner, Applied Fitness Solutions. “The Ambassador Program can help accelerate the process of implementing good guidelines to keep staff and customers safe, while saving your business money and time.”

“The program has been great because the Ambassador is there to show you how to improve and correctly implement safety precautions,” said Kris Spaulding, owner, Brewery Vivant. “This process has helped build up confidence that we are doing our best to keep staff and customers safe.”

Help us spread the word about the Ambassador Program

picture of MIOSHA Ambassador Program decal being added to a store frontOrange Divider

MIOSHA Ambassador Program Expands to Child Care Centers

Child care centers in Michigan can now schedule free COVID-19 workplace safety consultations as part of the Ambassador Program, an ongoing collaboration between Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and NSF International to educate them about COVID-19 workplace safety requirements.

“Our Ambassadors will work with child care center owners and operators to fully implement COVID-19 workplace safety regulations, so they can stay open and safe, while providing reassurance to parents,” said Sean Egan, Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Director. 

Under the program, workplace safety Ambassadors visit businesses statewide to offer education and support, with a focus on workplaces with a higher risk of community transmission. This includes bars, restaurants, retail stores, gas stations, convenience stores, bowling alleys and gyms and now child care centers. 

All Michigan child care centers must operate in compliance with the current MIOSHA Emergency Rules, MDHHS orders and federal guidelines. Further guidelines can be found through LARA.

Child care centers completing the Ambassador Program will receive a window decal to reassure parents that they are implementing the precautions in accordance with MIOSHA’s emergency rules. Ambassadors will not propose citations or issue penalties. They are there to work with businesses to improve conditions and help comply with regulations on workplace safety.

Child care centers can sign up to participate at Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety.

Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week

Stand Up 4 Grain Safety 2021

This annual event raises awareness of hazards in grain storage and handling operations. March 29 - April 2, 2021, will be the fifth annual Stand-Up Week and is sponsored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), National Grain and Feed Association (NGFA), Grain Handling Safety Council (GHSC), and Grain Elevator and Processing Society (GEAPS) national Alliance and other agricultural industry groups. Learn more about Grain Safety Week.

COVID-19 Workplace Safety Grant Update

On July 27, 2020, MIOSHA began accepting applications for the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Grant. The Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant Program awards qualifying employers in the state of Michigan a matching grant up to $10,000 for projects designed to reduce the risk of illness to their workers due to the COVID-19 pandemic, based on safety and health site-specific hazard surveys. Preference was given for the following: employers in the targeted business sectors as listed below, plans having the highest community transmission mitigation impact, engineering controls, PPE and cleaning/sanitizing.

  • Bars & Restaurants
  • Retail
  • Gyms & Fitness Centers
  • Personal Services (salon, barber shop, etc.)
  • Out-Patient Facilities (e.g., dental and medical offices)
  • Nursing Homes and Long-Term Care Facilities
  • High Worker Density Manufacturing (e.g., meat/poultry processing plants or other manufacturing where employees cannot consistently keep six feet apart)

MIOSHA awarded $6,450,937.41 to 1,255 grantees with an employer match of $4,418,424.85. The grant period began on July 27 and ended August 7.  

Learn more about the Michigan COVID-19 Safety Grant Program.

Michigan Worker Deaths of 2020

To date, there have been 63 work-related fatalities reported to MIOSHA in 2020. The information below shares preliminary details about the most recent fatalities reported to MIOSHA which are believed to be covered by the MIOSH Act. The description reflects information provided to MIOSHA at the initial report of the incident and is not the result of the official MIOSHA investigation.

Preliminary summaries of the most recent 2020 incidents:
On Oct. 17, a 56-year-old truck driver backed up to a piler with a truck full of sugar beets. He went to the back of the truck and climbed onto the piler to release the tailgate. The truck driver fell into the tail pulley of the cross conveyor causing fatal injuries.

On Nov. 18, a coworker observed the 60-year-old mechanic walking out the back of the building. An hour later, the mechanic came back into the shop. The mechanic told his coworker that he fell or passed out, hurt his head, found himself in his truck and did not know how he got there. That evening the mechanic was taken to the hospital where he passed away on Nov. 19, 2020. The death certificate stated that the mechanic reportedly fell at work and the cause of death was a head injury.

On Aug. 6, while inspecting city property for blight issues, a 71-year-old inspector was stung multiple times. He self-administered an epinephrine pen. When medical personnel arrived on scene, he was transported to a local hospital where he passed. The Medical Examiner's report concluded that the inspector experienced arrhythmia and died from anaphylactic shock. 

On May 15, a 61-year-old clerical assistant greeted patients and collected their medical information when they came to the radiology department. She tested positive for coronavirus on April 15. She was later admitted to the hospital and passed away due to COVID-19 on May 15, 2020.

Every life is precious. Our mutual goal must be that every employee goes home at the end of every shift unharmed.

If you need help or assistance in ensuring your workplace is safe, MIOSHA is here to assist you. The CET Division provides workplace safety and health training and consultations to employers and employees throughout Michigan, free of charge. Contact CET today at 800-866-4674 or request CET services online.

Press Releases

March 2, 2021 - MIOSHA COVID-19 Workplace Safety Ambassador Program surpasses 2,000 free consultations for Michigan businesses
Feb. 26, 2021 - 23 employers cited for COVID-19 workplace safety violations
Feb. 19, 2021
 - 16 employers cited for COVID-19 workplace safety violations
Feb. 8, 2021 - Ford, Christman/Brinker, Building and Construction Trades Council, and MIOSHA Take Safety Partnership to the Next Level for Workers at Michigan Central Station Renovation
Feb. 5, 2021 - 20 employers cited in lasted round of COVID-19 workplace safety violations
Feb. 4, 2021 - MIOSHA's Ambassador Program expands to cover child care centers

Variances

Variances from MIOSHA standards must be made available to the public in accordance with Part 12, Variances (R408.22201 to 408.22251). MIOSHA variances are published online at michigan.gov/mioshavariances.

Quick Links 

Agency/Division Instructions/Memorandums
Air Contaminants Initiative
Asbestos Program
CET Request for Consultative Assistance Services (RCA)
CET Training Calendar
Construction Safety and Health Division (CSHD)
DVD/Video Library Service
Employee Safety, Health, and Discrimination Complaint Forms
Fall Prevention Campaign (STOP FALLS. SAVE LIVES.)
General Industry Safety and Health Division (GISHD)
Hazard Communication/GHS
Laboratory and Equipment Services
Michigan Alliances
Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (MSHARP)
Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP)
MIOSHA FOIA Request
MIOSHA News
MIOSHA Publications
MIOSHA Recordkeeping
MIOSHA Standards
MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI)
MIOSHA Updates
MIOSHA Variances
Radiation Safety Section
Residential Construction
Strategic Plan and Initiatives
Telephone, Mailing and Email Addresses