Michigan Issues Emergency COVID-19 Regulations for Workplaces

Some states have adopted COVID-19 worker safety protections since the pandemic began and have cited employers for noncompliance, like the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has done recently. Other states’ OSHA agencies have said they will be issuing emergency rules for employers to implement to protect their workers, The National Law Review reports. The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA)  recently issued emergency COVID-19 regulations which will be in effect for six months.

MIOSHA’s emergency COVID-19 regulations took immediate effect on October 14 and require all state employers to implement risk-reducing measures in the workplace. The main MIOSHA rule requires employers to have a policy prohibiting in-person work when remote work is feasible.

The other MIOSHA rules require all employers to implement:

1. Exposure evaluation: Categorize tasks and procedures from low, medium, high, or very high exposure risk.
2. Preparedness and response plan: Devise a written plan consistent with current workplace COVID-19 guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
3. Infection prevention measures: Encourage handwashing and provide soap and other supplies, prohibit employees from sharing equipment and tools, provide U.S. Environmental Protection Agency- (EPA) approved cleaners and disinfectants, and increase facility cleaning and disinfection procedures
4. Health surveillance: Conduct daily self-screenings for all employees, contractors, and visitors which includes temperature checks and questionnaire covering symptoms. If there is a COVID-19 case, employers must report it to local health department and notify anyone who may have been in contact with the infected person within 24 hours.
5. Workplace controls: Have at least one COVID-19 safety coordinator to implement, monitor, and report workplace control strategies; display posters in the workplace encouraging employees to stay home if they are sick; practice social distancing; follow handwashing, hygiene, and cough and sneeze etiquette; and provide non-medical grade face coverings at no cost to employees and require them to be worn when six feet social distancing cannot be maintained.
6. Personal protective equipment (PPE): Provide employees appropriate PPE, including respirators, based on risk associated with job – it must meet current CDC and OSHA.
7. Training: Provide adequate training for all employees on COVID-19 and infection control practices like proper use of PPE, notifying employers of symptoms, and reporting unsafe working conditions.
8. Recordkeeping: Maintain records of all employee COVID-19 training, notifications, and screening protocols for one year.

Industry-specific requirements: Find requirements on the MIOSHA webpage for facilities such as casinos, health care buildings, restaurants and bars, meat and poultry processing plants, and sports and exercise facilities, among others.