WHAT’S HAPPENING
MIOSHA’s MVPP will soon be piloting the use of SGEs in the Michigan program. In support of this initiative, a training course led by OSHA Region V, VPP Manager Nancy Mugavero, was held April 18-20, 2017, and was hosted by DTE Fermi 2 (MVPP Star site) at their facility in Monroe, MI. The course included a Michigan-specific session that focused on important Michigan policy information as well as information on the differences between the VPP and the MVPP, MIOSHA safety and health standards that differ from OSHA’s, and MVPP team member roles and responsibilities. The volunteers are approved and funded by their companies to participate as onsite evaluation team members. SGEs who wish to participate as an MVPP onsite review team member will need to complete both the OSHA and MIOSHA training courses.
The SGE Program encompasses the spirit of VPP/MVPP – industry, labor, and government cooperation. This cooperation allows SGEs to bring a unique perspective to the MVPP team effort by generating ideas and best practices to further improve worker protections in Michigan. MIOSHA believes this new program component is essential to growth and enhancement of the MVPP.
More information can be found on OSHA’s SGE Program website.
Are you ready to learn more about how to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses and comply with the Occupational Safety and Health Act, but aren’t sure where to start? By following this step-by-step guide, you can identify many of the major OSHA requirements and guidance materials that may apply to your workplace. Small and new businesses may find Quick Start helpful as an introduction to the compliance assistance resources on OSHA’s website.
Across the state on August 9, 2017, MIOSHA is inviting employers to “Take a Stand” for workplace safety and health. Sign up today on our website.
For this 13th annual “Take a Stand Day,” the MIOSHA program is dedicating more than 125 professional staff to visit Michigan high-hazard industries targeted by the MIOSHA Strategic Plan. MIOSHA safety and health professionals – including compliance staff, outreach consultants, managers, and supervisors – will be scheduled on “Take a Stand Day” to provide one-on-one consultations. There will be no CITATIONS or FINES for participating workplaces. However, participants must agree to correct all serious conditions. Sign up today on our website!
On February 21, 2017, MIOSHA issued an agency instruction establishing a state emphasis program (SEP) on fall prevention to prevent falls in the workplace, especially those that lead to fatalities. Falls are a leading cause of workplace fatalities in Michigan. In 2016, nearly half of the work-related fatalities in the state —21 of the 43 deaths—were caused by falls.
In an effort to prevent falls in the workplace, the General Industry Safety and Health Division (GISHD) will be increasing inspection activity among landscaping service companies where six of the 21 deaths occurred in 2016. The Consultation Education and Training Division recently mailed 5,342 letters to establishments with a NAICS code of 561730 (Landscaping Services).
According to the SEP, GISHD will conduct planned, programmed inspections of at least 20 establishments selected at random from the targeted list. GISHD Workplace Safety Representatives are also encouraged to keep an eye out for tree trimming operations during their travels and may self-initiate inspections of tree trimming operations when serious safety hazards are observed per GISHD Instruction GISHD-COM-16-1, Tree Trimming Operations, as amended.
June 15, 2017 – MIOSHA Presents Its Prestigious Gold Award to Royalton Manor Skilled Nursing Center in St. Joseph, MI
June 22, 2017 – AJM Packaging Corporation in Taylor Fined $263,000 by MIOSHA for Amputation Hazards
All of the MIOSHA press releases can be viewed on our website.
