Don't Roll the Dice with Snow and Ice

The cold weather season can be a particularly hazardous time for employers and employees. With the early onset of frosty temperatures and snow across much of the state, MIOSHA is reminding Michigan workplaces to exercise caution when working in the cold and snow.

Every employer has a responsibility to provide workers with a place of employment free from recognized hazards. This is especially important during the winter season when workers are more prone to slips, trips and falls. Employers can prepare for winter conditions by taking precautions and providing helpful information to their employees on how to avoid injury and illness.

Here are some simple safety precautions your business can take this season to help ensure everyone's safety:

• Keep all walkways cleared of ice and snow
• Have de-icing products handy for hard-to-remove ice or snow
• Make sure all walkways and passageways are clearly marked and well-lit
• Be careful of slippery surfaces inside buildings
• Wear slip-resistant footwear
• Practice safe walking on slippery surfaces by taking slow, small steps
• Avoid carrying heavy loads that may offset your balance
• Clearly mark or barricade hazardous areas
• Wear sunglasses on sunny days to lessen winter glare
• Take extra precaution when entering and exiting vehicles
• Know the symptoms of frostbite and the first aid steps to address it

For more winter safety tips, visit www.osha.gov/winter-weather. 

Michigan 2020 Injury and Illness Rates Released

The 2020 occupational injury and illness statistics for Michigan were recently released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, detailing the number of non-fatal work-related injuries in the state.

From 2019 to 2020, the overall rate for Michigan increased from 2.9 cases to 3.3 cases per 100 workers per year. This snapped a nine-year unbroken record of successive annual decreases. The increase in 2020 appears to be driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, which pushed up rates sharply in the healthcare industry. In hospitals, the rate skyrocketed from 6.1 in 2019 to 13.4 in 2020. In nursing homes and residential care facilities, the rate jumped from 5.8 in 2019 to 12.4 in 2020. In other industries, including most of the high-hazard industries targeted by MIOSHA, the rates continued to decline.

The following table contains the Michigan injury and illness data for high-hazard industries targeted by MIOSHA's strategic plan and for all industries combined. 

Note: The BLS rates are derived from a sample survey of employers.

Michigan Small Businesses: Apply for Matching Grants to Improve Workplace Safety and Health

The MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) Grant program awards qualifying employers a dollar-for-dollar match – up to $5,000 – to purchase safety and health-related equipment and equipment-related training. The goal of the program is to create a safer and healthier work environment and reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers in Michigan.

How to Qualify:

• Have 250 employees or less, company-wide.
• Come under the jurisdiction of MIOSHA.
• Conduct a site-specific evaluation justifying the equipment purchase.
• Relate project directly to improvements that will lead to a reduction in the risk of injury or disease to employees.
• Have the knowledge and experience to complete the project and be committed to its implementation.

To apply, complete the MIWISH application at Michigan.gov/MIOSHAGrants. For more information, contact us at LEO-CETGrants@michigan.gov or call 269-275-7155.

Michigan Worker Deaths of 2021

To date, there have been 37 work-related fatalities reported to MIOSHA in 2021. 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 2021 incidents:

Two cars were stopped at a construction site. A semi-truck crashed into the stopped cars and struck the 47-year-old traffic regulator.

A 37-year-old laborer was struck by a forklift as it was backing up.

A 58-year-old business owner fell 25-30 feet from a roof.

A 37-year-old set-up technician was making a sensor adjustment on a plastic welding machine. The employee reached through an open access door that was supposedly interlocked to make an adjustment causing the machine to cycle, crushing the employee.

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 Release

November 3, 2021 - MIOSHA grants award to Humanetics for exemplary safety and health commitment to employees

Agency Instruction Issued

November 4, 2021 - Michigan Challenge Program (MCP)

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.

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