This year Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is celebrating a major milestone: 50 years of protecting the health and safety of Michigan’s workforce. Since 1975, MIOSHA has been committed to creating safer and healthier workplaces for employees statewide. As we reflect on this journey, we also look forward, reaffirming our commitment to continuous improvement and advancing our motto of "Educate Before We Regulate."

Milestones of Impact

Over the past five decades, MIOSHA has achieved significant milestones that have shaped our approach to workplace safety and health. Here are just a few highlights:

• Reducing Injury and Illness Rates: Michigan’s injury and illness rate has significantly improved —from 8.8 per 100 workers in 1977, peaking at 11.5 in 1994, to a record low of 2.8 in 2023.The progress reflects the impact of MIOSHA’s consultation, education and enforcement efforts, along with all of the efforts from employers and employees to make workplace safety and health a priority. 
• MIOSHA Asbestos Program 1986: Groundbreaking legislation in 1986 and 1988 set the standard for handling asbestos hazards, safeguarding workers and the public alike from the dangers of asbestos exposure. Learn more at Michigan.gov/mioshaconstruction.  
• Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) 1998: The launch of the MVPP Program marked a new chapter in workplace safety, recognizing employers who go above and beyond in implementing exemplary safety and health management systems. Learn more at Michigan.gov/MVPP. 
• MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI) 2009: More than 33,845 attendees have benefited from practical, hands-on workplace safety and health training through MTI, an innovative and collaborative program that provides affordable occupational safety and health training to employees and  employers across the state. Learn more at Michigan.gov/mti.

Looking Ahead

As we celebrate these achievements, we remain focused on the future. MIOSHA will continue to innovate, collaborate and adapt to the evolving needs of Michigan’s workforce. Together, with our partners in labor, business, and education, we can build on this legacy and ensure Michigan remains a leader in workplace safety and health.

Thank you for being a part of MIOSHA’s journey. Here’s to another 50 years of progress, partnership, and protection.

An underground utility and road-building contractor was cited by MIOSHA following a workplace accident that left an employee with a severe arm injury. The incident occurred on May 29, 2024, at a highway construction site where the worker was operating a handheld cut-off saw to cut a concrete storm drainpipe.

According to a report submitted by the employer, the employee sustained a deep cut to the upper arm and was taken to the hospital for treatment and surgery. The Construction Safety and Health Division (CSHD) launched a referral inspection the following day to investigate the circumstances surrounding the injury.

Inspection and Findings

On May 30, 2024, a Compliance Safety and Health Officer (CSHO) initiated a referral inspection. During the initial visit, the CSHO collected administrative records, took photographs, conducted private employee interviews and inspected the handheld saw involved. While the saw blade had been removed, the CSHO recorded its identification number for further investigation.

Additional interviews conducted on May 31, 2024, revealed the following:

The injured employee had been employed for about a year and was primarily a road grade checker but occasionally assisted the pipe crew.

• The foreman reported that the employee had been trained to use the saw but was unaware why the blade “kicked back” during the incident, stating that blade pinching typically caused the blade to stop, not kick back.
• The tail Man, responsible for pipe installation, stated that the pipe cracked because the ground was uneven. This crack caused the blade to pinch, leading to the kickback.

On June 3, 2024, the CSHO contacted the saw blade supplier and learned the following:

• The blade used was designed for cutting fresh (green) concrete and intended for walk-behind saws, not handheld saws.
• The blade was not suitable for cutting cured concrete, such as the storm sewer pipe involved in the incident.

On June 17, 2024, the injured employee confirmed they had not been trained on the differences between blades for cutting various types of concrete, despite receiving general saw training upon hire.

The Marathon Petroleum Corporation's Detroit Refinery processes sweet and heavy sour crude oils into products like gasoline, distillates, asphalt, natural gas liquids, heavy fuel oil, fuel-grade coke, chemical grade propylene, propane and slurry. The site employs 540 Marathon employees and has been a Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star site since 2010.

Origin of the Campaign

As a proud Michigan MVPP STAR site, the Marathon Detroit Refinery continuously seeks innovative ways to enhance workplace safety and health. In 2023, two recuring themes emerged from safety-related incidents and near misses: gaps in situational awareness and hazard recognition. This realization led to the creation of the Better Way Campaign, a collaborative initiative developed during a joint health and safety meeting between union and company representatives.

While previous efforts —such as reinforcing Stop Work Authority, the Go/No Go program and using monthly safety meetings, newsletters, start-of-shift discussions and bi-weekly safety videos —had been implemented, progress remained limited. This problem was then brought to the refinery's Safety and Health Committee. 

The safety and health committee took up the challenge after our behavioral-based safety facilitator shared a key observation during a meeting. The facilitator would ask workers in the field, “Is there a better way to do this task?” and the simple question often led to significant safety insights and a commitment to explore safer work practices. Recognizing the importance of proactive hazard recognition, we set our sights on reinventing our culture where every employee feels empowered to contribute to safety improvements. From that meeting, The Better Way campaign was created.

Implementation of the Campaign

The Better Way Campaign officially launched in November 2023, starting with refinery managers leading monthly sequential safety meetings. During these sessions, they introduced the campaign's core principles and distributed specially designed coins engraved with the question: "Ask yourself, is there a better way?”

This personal touch not only reinforced the message but also encouraged open dialogue about safety practices among all employees and contractors. The managers emphasized the significance of carrying the coin as a constant physical reminder to evaluate tasks critically and to consider alternative, safer methods. To encourage participation, a recognition program was established. Workers in process units were randomly approached and asked if they had their Better Way coin. Employees who had their coin and demonstrated safe work practices with proper PPE received tokens of appreciation.

Additionally, employees who suggested “better ways” to complete tasks safely were rewarded for their creativity and proactive thinking. This recognition program not only incentivized participation but also celebrated the workforce's commitment to continuous improvement.

Impact and Outcomes

The Better Way campaign has sparked countless conversations around hazard recognition and  encouraged employees to find innovative ways to perform routine tasks safely. By fostering an environment where workers feel comfortable discussing potential hazards and sharing their ideas, we are increasing individual ownership over safety practices. This cultural shift has led to heightened awareness and proactive engagement in safety discussions throughout the refinery. The success of this campaign is reflected in the increased number of safety dialogues among employees, as well as the growing willingness to challenge the status quo when it comes to daily operations. While we have not established formal metrics to quantify changes, anecdotal feedback and workforce engagement reflect the campaign’s success. The refinery has observed:

• Increased safety discussions among employees.
• Greater willingness to question and improve traditional operations.
• A decrease in recordable incidents and high-severity potential near misses.

Cintas Recognized with MVPP Rising Star Award

Cintas Corporation K15 in Westland received MVPP Rising Star recognition, acknowledging the company’s outstanding commitment to workplace safety and health. The MVPP (Michigan Voluntary Protection Program) Rising Star award is granted to organizations demonstrating excellence in safety practices, continuous improvement, and fostering a culture of safety. Cintas’s achievement highlights their dedication to ensuring the well-being of their employees and promoting a safe work environment.

This recognition underscores the company’s proactive approach to workplace safety and sets a strong example for others in the industry.

The MVPP program is open to all qualifying Michigan employers with injury and illness incident rates below the industry average for each of the last three years.

Learn more about becoming an MVPP Star site at Michigan.gov/MVPP.