 While Michigan continues to face hot and humid conditions, MIOSHA is dedicated to protecting indoor and outdoor workers from the serious risks posed by heat-related illnesses.
In July, federal OSHA released a proposed rule to protect approximately 36 million workers from extreme heat in indoor and outdoor work environments. The rule would require employers to create an injury and illness prevention plan to manage heat hazards, including providing drinking water, rest breaks, and controlling indoor heat. It also includes provisions for acclimatizing new or returning workers to high heat conditions.
MIOSHA is closely reviewing and monitoring the proposed federal rules as they advance through additional stages of OSHA’s rulemaking process. As a reminder, employers in Michigan are required by law to protect workers from known heat-related and health hazards.
MIOSHA first launched the State Emphasis Program for heat hazards in July 2022 to align with federal OSHA's introduction of a National Emphasis Program to prevent heat related illness on the job. Employers are encouraged to utilize MIOSHA’s sample heat illness prevention plan, which can be used as a template to establish their own heat illness prevention procedures and reduce the risk of work-related heat illness among their employees.
Employers are encouraged to evaluate conditions at their worksite while providing detailed procedures on how to prevent and treat heat illness, including:
- Monitoring the heat index and what to do when the heat index equals or exceeds 90°F
- Provisioning water
- Accessing cooling areas or shade
- Building heat tolerance
- Developing an emergency response
- Handling a sick employee
- Training for employees and supervisors
For help identifying heat-related hazards and preventing dangerous heat exposure, visit michigan.gov/heat.
To protect workers, employers should provide water, rest and shade. Recognizing the symptoms of heat-related illnesses, understanding prevention strategies, and knowing emergency response methods are crucial in preventing serious health issues or fatalities. For more information, visit osha.gov/heat.
 MIOSHA, the American Society of Safety Professionals (ASSP) Greater Detroit Chapter, and Kelly Services invite Michigan employers and employees to share a cup of coffee and learn about the importance of workplace safety and health.
Coffee with MIOSHA events are informal networking events for safety professionals. They allow employers and employees to meet with MIOSHA administrative, enforcement and consultative staff to ask questions and learn about our programs and services.
Register online with ASSP for the free event.
Coffee with MIOSHA
August 21, 2024, 9 – 11 a.m.
Kelly Services
999 West Big Beaver Road
Troy, MI 48084
 New workplace safety and health rules have taken effect that set clear guidelines for people who operate x-ray machines in medical settings, ensuring they are properly trained and qualified.
On March 13, 2024, Radiation Safety Standard Part 5. Operator Qualifications rules took effect, establishing the minimum qualification requirements for individuals who operate x-ray machines for medical diagnostic, medical therapeutic, and medical research purposes.
MIOSHA's Radiation Safety Section (RSS) is responsible for radiation machine and facility regulation in Michigan. The section registers approximately 9,500 x-ray facilities with more than 31,000 x-ray machines.
Four types of qualification are recognized under the Part 5 rules:
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Active status: This is for individuals who pass a formal training program and who maintain current registration status with an organization approved under the rules. These individuals would be allowed to perform all types of radiographic and fluoroscopic examinations.
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Temporary status: This is for individuals who have completed a formal training program in preparation for full credentialing as an active status operator but have not passed the appropriate test. This status is valid for 3 years from the completion of the training.
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Limited status: This is for individuals who do not meet the active status requirements. These individuals must complete an approved program that includes a minimum of 40 hours training in each scope of practice they perform. The training must include both didactic and clinical components and must be competency based (student must pass an exam). Limited scope operators are only allowed to take x-ray exams in the area of their training.
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Conditional status: This is for individuals that do not meet one of the above three types of qualification. All staff taking x-rays in your facility that do not meet active, temporary, or limited status can take x-rays until March 13, 2027, under the conditional status with a statement of assurance. This includes new staff hired between March 13, 2024, and March 13, 2027.
All operators must provide documentation demonstrating they have completed required training and must obtain continuing education. Active status operators will need to meet their respective registry requirements. Limited scope operators must complete 12 credits every 24 months starting from the date they complete their initial training.
Each facility will need to maintain documents for all staff who operate an x-ray machine. These documents must be made available to the department for review during each inspection. The necessary documents will vary by the type of status.
 MIOSHA’s Free Hazard Survey Program Ensures Workplace Safety
Have you ever wondered when MIOSHA last visited a jobsite where you were working? The likelihood of MIOSHA enforcement visiting your jobsite is relatively low, given the numerous active sites they oversee. However, how prepared would you feel if MIOSHA were to arrive tomorrow? Are you confident that your employees are protected from hazards and that your workplace complies with MIOSHA standards? Even seasoned employers can feel a pang of unease upon seeing a State of Michigan vehicle arrive.
What if you could have the expertise and experience of walking through your jobsite with a MIOSHA representative on your own terms? Imagine a scenario with no threat of enforcement where you dictate which areas are inspected and ask questions you've been unsure about. As part of MIOSHA’s consultative outreach, there are jobsite visits known as Hazard Surveys.
A Hazard Survey involves a walkthrough of your jobsite with a MIOSHA Consultation Education & Training (CET) consultant. While there are no penalties for hazards found, employers are expected to correct serious hazards. CET consultants focus on making safety straightforward and improving worker health and safety through education and outreach. Here are some key features and benefits of Hazard Surveys:
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You Control the Scope: When you request a consultant to visit your site or office, you decide which areas to address. This could be specific concerns, areas of uncertainty, or a comprehensive site assessment.
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Focus on Relevant Rules and Regulations: Navigating MIOSHA standards can be daunting. CET consultants help you understand which standards apply to your specific scope of work and how to ensure worker safety accordingly.
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Tailored to Your Work: Hazard Surveys are customized to address the specific tasks your employees perform, ensuring practical and directly applicable discussions.
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Encourages Safety Dialogue: Open communication about safety is crucial for effective safety programs. Hazard Surveys facilitate meaningful discussions about worksite hazards, protective measures, and challenges faced by workers.
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Identifying Blind Spots: Identifying all potential hazards is a significant challenge for any safety program. MIOSHA consultants bring a fresh perspective and extensive experience to help identify hazards and provide advice on protecting workers.
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No Enforcement Actions: Importantly, engaging a CET consultant for a Hazard Survey does not lead to enforcement activities, nor does it result in your site being placed on a watchlist or attracting further MIOSHA scrutiny.
These benefits highlight the value of MIOSHA’s Hazard Survey program, which covers construction sites, offices, and addresses health concerns like bloodborne pathogens, silica, asbestos, carbon monoxide, hexavalent chromium, and air monitoring. Best of all, these services are provided free of charge to Michigan employers.
To get started, contact your local CET consultant or submit an online request at the MIOSHA CET Request Form at michigan.gov/cetrca.
 MIOSHA alliance partner, University of Michigan Center for Occupational Health and Safety Engineering (COHSE), is offering a new online course on Complex Exposures in Home Healthcare. Home healthcare is one of the fastest-growing sectors in the public health industry, performed by professionals with diverse educational backgrounds and work experiences. Home healthcare professionals face a high risk of injury and illness due to the variability of unregulated exposures and hazards in patients’ homes, compared to a clinical environment. This course addresses key concepts regarding these complex exposures. It is interdisciplinary and recommended for professionals in industries such as healthcare, industrial hygiene, safety engineering, and others related to or interested in occupational safety and health.
Course Details:
About the Event:
Home health care professionals face unique challenges and risks. Join us for an in-depth virtual training session focusing on complex exposures in home health care. This event is essential for anyone involved in providing care in home settings, aiming to enhance their understanding and management of various exposure risks. Participants will receive a continuing education certificate for 4.6 credit hours in nursing, industrial hygiene, or occupational safety upon completion of the course.
What You'll Learn:
- Identification of complex exposures in home health environments
- Strategies for minimizing and managing exposure risks
- Latest guidelines and best practices
- Practical solutions and tools for home health care professionals
Who Should Attend:
- Home health care providers
- Nurses and nursing assistants
- Occupational health professionals
- Health care administrators
- Safety officers
The course is being offered through the Michigan-Ohio Occupational Research Education (MOORE) Program. The MOORE program focuses on the development and delivery of training and research experiences for graduate students and occupational health and safety practitioners, addressing four key themes: emerging technologies and exposure assessment, home healthcare, sustainability and OHS practices, and ergonomics and aerosol exposure.
There have been 16 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 26-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.
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. Approximately one month later, 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.
A 22-year-old laborer was scrapping material from a former hospital building. Individuals were attempting to remove a large boiler with the use of a mini excavator. During the operation, the victim was crushed by the boiler when the controls of the mini excavator were inadvertently activated.
A 68-year-old refrigeration and mechanical technician was found in the back-alley area of a strip mall. The victim was a contractor working for a restaurant. An extension ladder was found nearby. The victim had an apparent head injury to the back of his head.
A 27-year-old animal caretaker worker was standing on a 6-foot step ladder installing a two-by-four board onto a gate when the employee fell sideways off the ladder onto concrete. The victim was transported to a local hospital. Fifteen days later, the victim died as a result of the injuries.
A 62-year-old owner/auto repair mechanic was utilizing a jack to lift a vehicle to perform automotive servicing operations. During the task, the vehicle fell and crushed the victim.
A 46-year-old carpenter and other employees were working on a dormer, with rain approaching, they put a tarp over the dormer. After the pop-up rainstorm was over, they went on the wet roof and in the process of removing the tarp the employee fell to the concrete below.
A 45-year-old sheet metal worker, and another employee, were working on a fixed work platform that was three sections wide. The middle section gave way causing both employees to fall from an approximate 35-foot elevation. The 45-year-old died, and the second worker was hospitalized with critical injures.
A 22-year-old shop hand/apprentice was moving sheet metal with the use of a cart. While moving the sheet metal, the cart caught an uneven edge of a walking-working surface and tipped over onto the victim.
A 36-year-old die setter was transporting/lifting a die with a crane when the swivel bolt broke loose. As a result, one corner of the die hit the ground, causing the top half of the die to separate and crush the victim. According to the employer's incident report, the swivel bolt was not fully threaded into the die and came out of the hole.
A 23-year-old laborer was struck by a large wooden beam structure while attempting to install a rigging strap to move the wooden beam for installation.
A 50-year-old foreman was performing tree trimming from a boom truck when a tree limb contacted a power line, electrocuting the victim.
July 10, 2024 — Tree Trimming Operations
July 25, 2024 — Alliance Policies and Procedures
July 25, 2024 — Complaint Processing
July 25, 2024 — Trenching and Excavation - National Emphasis Program (NEP)
July 31, 2024 — Construction Inspection Targeting
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.
Quick Links
Agency/Division Instructions/Memorandums
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Construction Safety and Health Division (CSHD)
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Fall Prevention Campaign (STOP FALLS. SAVE LIVES.)
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