The Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO), Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), construction companies and labor leaders have teamed up to help combat the problem of construction worker suicide.
The construction industry has the highest rates of suicides among all occupations — four times higher than the general population. In Michigan, the construction and extraction occupation suicide rate was 75.4 per 100,000 people in 2019, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
In recognition of the federal OSHA's Construction Suicide Prevention Week (September 4-8), MIOSHA will visit construction sites across Michigan to discuss the importance of including mental health in workplace safety efforts to protect the workforce, as well as suicide prevention resources to support worker mental health in the construction industry and beyond.
“If we can make a difference and save lives, MIOSHA will do whatever possible to assist employers in improving worker protections,” said Bart Pickelman, MIOSHA Director. “A strong safety culture can positively impact workers wellbeing and we are committed to working with Michigan employers and employees to strengthen their workplace safety and health.”
We encourage Michigan employers to invest in the mental health and wellness of their employees by promoting suicide prevention dialogue, training and resources during Construction Suicide Prevention Week and beyond. We want employers to play an important role to reduce stigma and promote mental health at their workplace. By taking steps to create a work environment that fosters open communication and a sense of belonging, providing resources and programs that promote employee well-being and support work-life balance and more, you can help workers get the resources they need.
While having conversations about mental health with coworkers can be difficult, everyone can help prevent suicide by knowing the warning signs, reaching out to a colleague if you’re concerned about them and staying with them and getting help if they are in crisis.
If you or someone you know is having trouble coping with work-related stress, talk with someone who can help. Call the new three-digit dialing code 988 or chat online at 988lifeline.org/chat.
For additional resources and information:
|
 |
Members of MIOSHA's Ag Workgroup appeared at the state's largest agricultural expo — AgroExpo — in St Johns Aug.13-14. The two-day event featured more than 3,500 attendees and exhibitors.
Approximately 200 attendees visited the MIOSHA booth and exhibitor table, where MIOSHA consultants discussed hazards commonly found in Agricultural work operations, heat-related injuries, illnesses, and the dangers of entering grain bins. They also promoted MIOSHA’s free Consultation Education and Training (CET) services to employers.
Additionally, MIOSHA connected with the Michigan Farm Bureau, Michigan Ag Today Radio Broadcast, Organic Agriculture Conference and the Michigan State University Agricultural Extension.
|
 ArgoExpo attendees stopped by the MIOSHA exhibit booth to "spot the hazard" on Aug. 13, 2023.
|
With the approaching changing of the seasons, the fall harvest can be one of the most dangerous times of the year for the agriculture industry. That’s why September 17-23 is recognized as National Farm Safety and Health Week. This year's theme, "No One Can Take Your Place," highlights the importance of each and every agricultural worker, not only to the farm but to their family and community.
National Farm Safety and Health Week, a National Safety Council initiative, is devoted to helping protect workers in the agriculture industry and raising awareness of both hazards and best practices. The agriculture industry has a significant presence in Michigan with approximately 100,000 workers employed at 46,500 farms.
These agricultural employees can be exposed to a multitude of safety and health hazards, including heavy equipment, vehicles, and machinery; engulfment in confined spaces such as grain bins and silos; falls from heights; exposure to pesticides, chemicals and organic dusts; heat-related illnesses; and injuries from lifting and other repetitive tasks.
In the worst cases, the hazards lead to injuries and even death. Between 2018 and 2022, there were 15 agricultural work-related fatalities reported to MIOSHA. The causes of these deaths ranged from falls to struck or crushed by equipment or livestock, hyperthermia, hydrogen-sulfide poisoning and COVID-19. Some of those fatalities are described below:
- An employee died after becoming entangled on a secondary drive shaft of a brush hog while leveling a harvested cornfield.
- An employee died after sustaining multiple internal injuries when he was attacked by a bull while herding milking cows.
- An employee died from breathing in high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide while cleaning a 1,500-gallon milk tank with well water containing high concentrations of hydrogen sulfide.
- An employee died from dismemberment after falling into an unguarded portion of a sugar beet piler machine.
- An employee died after being struck by a front-end loader tractor after dark.
To prevent future deaths, take the time to plant the seed of National Farm Safety and Health Week at your agricultural establishment and cultivate employee connection, support, and most importantly, safety.
MIOSHA’s Consultation Education and Training Division offers free on-site consultation services to farms throughout the year. National Farm Safety and Health Week would be a good time to reach out to this resource to have your agricultural operations evaluated for safety and health hazards and ways to mitigate them. For more details, visit LEO - MIOSHA Consultative Services (michigan.gov).
|
|
MIOSHA and the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP)-- Greater Detroit Chapter invited employers and workers for a cup of coffee to learn the importance of MIOSHA services to protect workplace health and safety.
MIOSHA Consultation Education Training Division Director Tarah Kile spoke to the attendees during the Aug. 15 event at Kelly Service's world headquarters in Troy.
MIOSHA on-site consultants, industrial hygienists and enforcement representatives were on hand to answer questions and provide information on program services and resources to the over 50 people in attendance.
Coffee with MIOSHA events provide an informal opportunity for all Michigan employers and employees to meet with MIOSHA representatives (consultative and enforcement) to ask questions, obtain information on program services and resources, learn about MIOSHA Training Institute opportunities, and establish rapport.
To track future Coffee with MIOSHA events and learn how our consultative services and cooperative programs can help your workplace enhance its safety and health, visit the MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training website or visit www.michigan.gov/miosha
|
 A MIOSHA Workplace Safety Representative speaks to three attendees at the Aug. 15 Coffee with MIOSHA event in Troy.
There have been 21 work-related fatalities reported to MIOSHA in 2023. 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 descriptions reflect information provided to MIOSHA at the initial report of the incidents and are not the result of the official MIOSHA investigations.
Preliminary Summaries of the Most Recent 2023 incidents:
A 70-year-old traffic flagger was fatally hit by a car while regulating traffic at a road construction project.
A 57-year-old driver operating a concrete mixing truck became stuck while making a delivery at a job site. A contractor attempted to pull out the truck by connecting a tow cable from a bulldozer. The bulldozer's hitch pin broke off, and then tow cable whipped trough the concrete truck windshield, fatally striking the driver.
A 54-year-old truck driver was kneeling over a single-piece rim wheel and tire assembly. While inflating the tire, the sidewall burst, and the assembly shot up fatally striking the man.
A 28-year-old Southwest Michigan firefighter responded to a call for a broken tree branch hanging on a power line. After the fire department secured the scene, a different power line broke and struck the firefighter who was knocked down and electrocuted.
A 58-year-old Van Buren County road worker was part of a four-man crew doing repair work. The victim was performing traffic control when he was struck by a commuter vehicle.
A 34-year-old truck driver was on route performing trash collection. The victim had exited the garbage truck and was placing a garbage hopper into the hopper lift. He proceeded to the right side of the truck to operate the hopper controls with his back to the road when an oncoming commuter vehicle struck the garbage truck from the rear fatally striking the victim.
A 39-year-old EMT worker was driving an ambulance on I-75 to when he came upon a vehicle that crashed into a viaduct wall near an exit ramp. When the victim exited the ambulance to assist the driver, he was fatally struck by an oncoming vehicle, which also fatally struck the driver of the crashed vehicle.
A 61-year-old electrical maintenance journeyman, part of multi-person crew, was struck by a radiator assembly during the dismantlement of a transformer at an electrical substation.
A 19-year-old warehouse worker and another employee were attempting to change the bucket on a Bobcat backhoe. The victim was attempting to remove a pin from the bucket while the coworker was operating the Bobcat. The victim was fatally crushed after being caught between the bucket and a bollard.
A 35-year-old laborer and his employer arrived at a private residence to perform a tree trimming job. The bucket truck became stuck, so the crew attached a rope to the front axle of the dump truck and the tie down on the skid steer's bucket. The rope snapped and struck the victim, who was operating the skid steer in the chest.
A 24-year-old production technician was heating a finished part to remove oils when the next cycle of a vacuum forming mode began. The victim was caught between an extended conveyor and vacuum forming mold, crushing him.
A 24-year-old laborer/roofer was performing roofing operation on a flat roof near a skylight. The victim fell 20 feet through the skylight and landed on the concrete floor below. The victim was admitted to the hospital and died from his injuries one month later.
A 57-year-old mechanic was mounting two tires for a trailer. The victim took one of the tires outside the shop and placed it on the ground to inflate using pneumatic air compressor, set at approximately 150 psi (pounds per square inch). The tire exploded and struck the victim in the head.
A 60-year-old owner was found on the workshop floor, unresponsive. During the Emergency Medical Services (EMS) response, individuals on site began to feel ill and the fire department found carbon monoxide levels ranging from 500 to 800 parts-per-million (ppm). Vehicle exhaust fumes exposed the victim to carbon monoxide which caused carbon monoxide poisoning.
A 70-year-old traffic flagger was fatally hit by a car while regulating traffic at a road construction project.
A 33-year-old demolition laborer was demolishing a cooling tower located on the roof of a building with an angle grinder. The worker cut away one angle iron and was cutting a second angle when the cooling tower started to fall. The worker ran towards the cooling tower when it fell on them.
A 53-year-old laborer was performing fire-proofing activities to structural steel while wearing fall protection, but not physically tied-off to an anchorage point. During the work operation, the victim fell approximately 18 feet to the concrete below.
A 30-year-old journeyman lineman was performing maintenance operations to powerline(s). During the operation the victim was electrocuted.
A 75-year-old general laborer was operating a riding lawn mower and it flipped over a retention wall.
A 41-year-old truck driver was adjusting the tie downs on a tractor trailer near the side of the road when the victim was struck by a pedestrian vehicle.
A 38-year-old tree trimmer was performing trimming operations when he was struck and killed by a falling tree.
A 42-year-old roofing company owner was contracted to perform roof repair on a barn. The victim had removed a sheet off of the roof and fell through the opening 30-35 feet to the concrete floor below.
Variances from MIOSHA standards must be made available to the public in accordance with MIOSHA Administrative Standard 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 Take A Stand Day
MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI)
MIOSHA Updates
MIOSHA Variances
Radiation Safety Section
Residential Construction
Strategic Plan and Initiatives
Telephone, Mailing and Email Addresses
|
