 Agriculture workers are preparing their fields for the upcoming planting season, a sign that spring has arrived in Michigan. Agriculture is the second-largest industry in Michigan, contributing over $100 billion to the economy and employing 805,000 people, or 17.2% of the state's population, according to the Michigan Economic Development Corporation.
To protect employees in the agricultural industry during the busy planting season from fatal and non-fatal injuries, MIOSHA wants everyone to have the resources needed for a safe work environment.
The reality is that agriculture workers rank among one of the most dangerous professions in the United States. In 2022, workers in the agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting industries experienced one of the highest fatal injury rates at 23.5 deaths per 100,000 full-time workers, compared to a rate of 3.6 deaths per 100,000 workers for all U.S. industries, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The number of fatal injuries to agriculture workers increased from 2021, as workers in the sector continue to be at risk for high rates of fatal and non-fatal injuries.
Agricultural employees are frequently exposed to the following risks: Chemicals/pesticides, cold, dust, electricity, grain bins, hand tools, highway traffic, lifting, livestock handling, machinery/equipment, manure pits, mud, noise, ponds, silos, slips/trips/falls, sun/heat, toxic gases, tractors, and wells.
Safety tips and information related to Agricultural Operations can be found with other MIOSHA Fact Sheets at michigan.gov/mioshapublications.
Additional Resources:
Get Free MIOSHA Consultation, Education and Training Help
MIOSHA's Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division offers employers and employees free, confidential, statewide safety and health assistance.
To request your free, confidential MIOSHA consultation with no citations and no penalties, or to learn more about other free CET services, call 517-284-7720 or submit a request online to www.michigan.gov/cetrca.
 MIOSHA is proud to participate in the 2024 National Work Zone Awareness Week (NWZAW) from April 15-19. NWZAW is an annual spring campaign held at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through highway work zones.
MIOSHA will participate in a National Work Zone Awareness Week Kick-off news conference on Monday, April 15, at 11 a.m. at Dow Diamond in Midland.
- The event will feature key speakers from MIOSHA, Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT), Michigan State Police (MSP), American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA), Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA), and Dow Chemical Company.
- The event will honor the workers, motorists and families of those killed in work zones in the last year.
- Dow will also host several industry vendors to showcase different lifesaving traffic control devices and processes.
Why it matters: MDOT’s goal is zero road fatalities and serious injuries. By slowing down, obeying signs, minimizing distractions, and working safely, we can ensure that drivers, passengers, and workers make it home to their loved ones every day.
Additional Resources
Motor vehicle safety is one of the most important things on the roadways, as millions of workers use them as part of their jobs, and motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of work-related deaths in the U.S.
 Register today for the Michigan Safety Conference, a two-day health and safety training event at DeVos Place in Grand Rapids, April 16-17, 2024. MIOSHA staff (consultative, enforcement, and radiation safety) will teach some of the 120+ workplace health and safety classes and re-certification courses offered. All businesses in Michigan are encouraged to send their employees responsible for health, safety, and risk management operations.
Michigan Safety Conference is a proud MIOSHA Alliance member, a formalized partnership that aims to educate and advance workplace safety and health across Michigan.
April 16-17, 2024
DeVos Place, Grand Rapids, MI
CLICK TO REGISTER
The 2024 MSC event guide includes the conference agenda, exhibitors and Tuesday and Wednesday class schedules.
Highlights:
- Volunteer, Speaking & Sponsorship Opportunities
- Access to MIOSHA Staff
- New Product Demonstrations
- 120+ Workplace Health & Safety Classes
- Recertification Courses
- Continuing Education Credits (CEUs), including CPR
- Trade Show featuring 220+ exhibitors
- Hands-On Safety Demonstrations
- Professional Affiliate Meetings, including ASSP Local Chapters
- Special Recognition Awards
- Student Sponsorships
- Silent Auction
 The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) will host a free webinar on April 16, 2024:
OSHA Enforcement and Guidance on Protecting Workers within the Cannabis Industry
April 16, 2024, 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
CLICK TO REGISTER
Research has shown that workers within the cannabis industry are at risk for developing occupational allergies due to allergens or biotoxins from cannabis plants. These workers may also become exposed to additional biological, chemical and physical workplace hazards associated with producing cannabis. Although this is a relatively new industry and OSHA has no standards that are specific to occupational allergies to cannabis plants, there are current OSHA standards that may help to reduce or prevent these occupational allergies from occurring and also protect workers from other hazards they may face within this industry.
Complaints about worker safety and health at cannabis processing and producing facilities have increased as more establishments emerge nationwide.
OSHA continues to provide enforcement and compliance assistance to ensure that employers protect their workers from all hazards within this industry. This presentation will review OSHA’s enforcement and compliance resources and highlight a few recent OSHA inspections within this industry.
Attendees of this webinar will be given a Certificate of Attendance for self-reporting certification purposes.
Marijuana industry-- Potential Health and Safety Hazards
 Take workplace safety and health to the next level by registering for MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI) courses offered in April.
MTI is an innovative and collaborative program that provides affordable occupational safety and health training to employers across the state. When your employees take an MTI course, your company may qualify for a reduction on any penalties incurred during a MIOSHA inspection in acknowledgement of your proactive safety practices.
MTI Course Schedule for Late April:
Visit michigan.gov/mti to find a complete list of scheduled courses, registration information, and to apply for an MTI scholarship.
MTI Information:
There have been seven work-related fatalities reported to MIOSHA in 2024. 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 2024 incidents:
A 25-year-old assistant yard/receiving manager was stocking merchandise with the use of an order picker truck. At some point during the task, the employee fell from the lift approximately 20 feet to the adjacent walking-working surface. The employee was transported to a local hospital and later succumbed to the injuries sustained from the fall.
A 39-year-old law enforcement officer was making a traffic stop for a suspected impaired driver. Other officers were on the scene. During the stop, a commuter vehicle struck two patrol vehicles and the victim, who was outside of the patrol vehicle. The victim died at the hospital.
After completing the sheathing of the trusses on a residential roof and while cleaning up around the house, a worker found the 46-year-old victim lying on the ground. The victim was transported to the hospital where they died from their injuries.
A 71-year-old owner of a company that provides support services to oil and gas operations was using an air compressor to rid a large tank of oil and water. The victim and his son were cleaning it when it exploded. The victim was killed in the explosion and/or subsequent fire.
A 63-year-old die setter was standing on a semi-truck flatbed trailer, moving a rolling cart loaded with a die fixture to the side of the flatbed. The cart and die fixture fell off the flatbed and onto the victim who sustained multiple injuries. The victim was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. On Feb 22, the employer was notified the victim died.
A 21-year-old apprentice pipefitter was working on a boiler system being installed for a school addition. The pipefitter was standing on a ladder when the cap on a pressurized boiler line came off and struck the worker in the face.
A 23-year-old agricultural worker was driving a tractor pulling a farm implement and lost control, causing the tractor to overturn. The victim was ejected from the cab, which rolled over onto the victim.
March 22, 2024 - MIOSHA Awards Highest Workplace Safety and Health Recognition to Marathon Petroleum Corp. Niles Terminal
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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