Michigan issues emergency COVID-19 rules

Posted October 16, 2020

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has issued emergency rules clarifying the safety requirements employers must follow to protect their employees from COVID-19. The emergency rules implement workplace safeguards for all Michigan businesses and include specific requirements for industries, including manufacturing, construction, retail, health care, exercise facilities, restaurants, and bars.

Among other requirements, businesses resuming in-person work must:

• have a written COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, and
• provide thorough training to their employees that covers:
  • workplace infection-control practices,
  • proper use of personal protection equipment (PPE),
  • steps workers must take to notify the business of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, and
  • how to report unsafe working conditions.

Employers should coordinate these requirements with the Emergency Order issued by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services restricting gathering sizes, requiring face coverings in public spaces and childcare facilities, placing capacity limitations on stores, bars, and other public venues, and providing safer workplaces.

The rules took effect October 14 and will remain in effect for six months.

This article was written by Rachel Krubsack of J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc.