Volume 33, Issue 3, Summer 2025
By Bart Pickelman, CIH, MIOSHA director
Each season brings new opportunities to strengthen workplace safety and health in Michigan. As we continue implementing the goals outlined in MIOSHA’s strategic plan, our cooperative programs remain a central focus — offering a path for employers to reduce risk, improve safety performance and build stronger safety cultures.
Whether an employer is just starting to address workplace hazards or has a history of safety excellence, MIOSHA’s Cooperative Programs provide a structured approach to continuous improvement. Programs such as the Michigan Challenge Program (MCP), Michigan Safety and Health Achievement Recognition Program (MSHARP), Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) and MIOSHA Partnership Program are designed to meet employers where they are and help them move forward.
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In 2024, the Michigan Challenge Program, which adjusted to an 18-month agreement, continues to support general industry employers who are building the foundation of their safety and health programs. It offers technical assistance, a six-month deferral from programmed inspections and the opportunity to develop the five core elements of an effective safety and health management system.
Workplaces that demonstrate sustained commitment to safety may pursue MSHARP or MVPP designation — both of which represent MIOSHA’s highest levels of recognition for workplace safety and health. These programs not only acknowledge strong safety systems, but also encourage a culture of continuous improvement.
MIOSHA has also updated it’s Partnership Program to streamline assistance to Construction projects that are focused on improving safety and health. MIOSHA partnerships are an opportunity for employers, employees and/or their representatives and stakeholders to establish a cooperative relationship with MIOSHA to encourage, assist and recognize their voluntary efforts to focus on and eliminate serious hazards and achieve a high level of safety and health.
We encourage more employers to take advantage of these opportunities. By working together through cooperative programs, we can help ensure that more Michigan workers return home safely at the end of each day.
To learn more about MIOSHA’s Cooperative Programs, visit Michigan.gov/MIOSHAcooperative or Michigan.gov/cet.
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By Jeremy Hidalgo, safety supervisor, Construction Safety and Health Division
On the morning of Sept. 30, 2024, a roofer was moving a bundle of shingles on the upper roof of a residential home under construction. The roofer was not using fall protection equipment—a critical safety requirement under MIOSHA regulations. While moving the bundle, the roofer slipped and fell 38 feet to the ground.
The fall began from the upper roof and continued through exposed trusses of a lower-level porch roof that had not yet been sheeted, resulting in an unimpeded drop to the concrete slab below.
 Residential Site where a roofer fell 38 feet through exposed trusses while working without fall protection.
MIOSHA investigation and findings
The employer reported the in-patient hospitalization to MIOSHA on Oct. 1. An inspection was initiated on Oct. 2. During the interview, the injured employee stated they had been employed for four months and had not received fall protection training.
MIOSHA issued two serious citations under Construction Safety Standard Part 45, Fall Protection:
MIOSHA Construction Standard Part 45. Fall Protection.
- 1926.501(b)(13): There was no fall protection utilized at the residential construction site.
- 1926.503(a)(1): There was no training provided to employees exposed to fall hazards.
Total Proposed Penalties – $400
Employer’s incident investigation
In its own investigation report, the employer cited "failure to wear proper fall protection" as the root cause. Although fall protection equipment was onsite in a work trailer, it had not been used. As a corrective measure, the employer committed to conducting toolbox talks before each workday and reinforcing proper fall prevention procedures.
This incident underscores the critical importance of training and enforcing fall protection requirements on construction sites.
By Michael Maddux, workplace safety representative, General Industry Safety and Health Division
In Dec. 2023, MIOSHA conducted a comprehensive safety inspection at a facility that manufactures custom-cutting tools for the metalworking market. The employer, which had 12 employees at the time, was randomly selected for inspection. MIOSHA identified 18 rule violations across multiple standards, many of which were repeated across different equipment in the facility.
MIOSHA issued eight serious and ten other-than-serious citations, with some violations grouped into single citations.
 Exposed in-running nip point on an unguarded belt grinder, a serious hazard that exposed workers to potential entanglement and amputation risks.
Citations and Penalties
General Industry Standard Part 1A, Abrasive Wheels
- Rule 408.10114(2): There was no work rest on a bench grinder.
- Rule 408.10121(1): There were various unguarded grinders with exposed abrasive wheels and nuts.
General Industry Standard Part 6, Fire Exits
- Rule 408.10641(4): An exit discharged into a room that did not have a readily accessible means to exit outside.
- Rule 408.10645(2): There were two deadbolt locks that required two separate motions to unlock an exit door.
General Industry Standard Part 7, Guards for Power Transmission
- Rule 408.10727(1): There were unguarded belts and pulleys on various pieces of equipment.
General Industry Standard Part 8, Portable Fire Extinguishers
- Rule 408.10833(1): There was a fire extinguisher not installed securely on a hanger, in a bracket or mounted in a cabinet.
- Rule 408.10835(3): Fire extinguishers did not receive a thorough inspection at least annually.
General Industry Standard Part 11, Polishing, Buffing, and Abrading
- Rule 408.11115(4): There were unguarded in-running nip points on a belt grinder.
General Industry Standard Part 12, Welding and Cutting
- Rule 408.11222(1): Oxygen cylinders were stored within approximately 2 inches of acetylene cylinders.
- Rule 408.11222(5): The names of the individual gases stocked and a warning against tampering by unauthorized employees were not posted.
- Rule 408.11223(1): Acetylene compressed gas cylinders were not restrained.
General Industry Standard Part 21, Powered Industrial Trucks
- Rule 408.12154(1): Permits were not provided to employees who operated powered industrial trucks.
General Industry Standard Part 33, Personal Protective Equipment
- Rule 408.13312(1): Eye and face protection was not required for employees handling corrosive chemicals.
- Rule 408.13392: Hand protection was not required to be worn by employees using corrosive chemicals and working with hot wax.
- Rule 408.13394(1): Protective clothing was not required to be worn for employees handling corrosive chemicals.
General Industry Standard Part 39, Design Safety Standards for Electrical Systems
- Paragraph 1910.303(b)(1): There was damaged sheathing on an electrical cable that was covered with duct tape and connected to an unmounted outlet.
- Paragraph 1910.303(b)(8)(i): There were electrical outlets hanging and not secured to a surface.
- Paragraph 1910.303(g)(1): There were numerous blocked electrical cabinets.
- Paragraph 1910.305(b)(1)(ii): There were missing knockouts on various electrical boxes.
- Paragraph 1910.305(b)(2)(i): There was a missing faceplate for an electrical outlet.
- Paragraph 1910.305(g)(1)(iv): Extension cords and powers strips were used as a substitute for fixed wiring. In addition, flexible cables were secured to metal tubing by zip ties.
- Paragraph 1910.305(g)(2)(iii): The outer insulation was pulled back exposing internal coated wires on a transformer cable.
General Industry Standard Part 56, Storage and Handling of Liquefied Petroleum Gases
- Paragraph 1910.110(f)(2)(ii): Liquid petroleum gas was stored adjacent to a means of egress.
General Industry Standard Part 75, Flammable Liquids
- Paragraph 1910.106(e)(9)(iii): Rags soiled with oil were stored in uncovered plastic buckets.
General Industry Standard Part 85, The Control of Hazardous Energy Sources
Paragraph 1910.147(c)(4)(i): There were no documented machine-specific procedures, and the control of hazardous energy was not being utilized.
- Paragraph 1910.147(c)(5)(i): Locks were not provided to employees for controlling hazardous energy.
- Paragraph 1910.147(c)(7)(i): Training did not include when or how to utilize energy control procedures.
General Industry Standard Part 92, Hazard Communication
- Paragraph 1910.1200(f)(6)(ii): Secondary chemical containers did not have product identifiers that provided the physical and health hazards of those chemicals.
- Paragraph 1910.1200(g)(8): Safety data sheets for each hazardous chemical were not maintained onsite.
- Paragraph 1910.1200(h)(1): Training did not include the hazards of chemicals used and how to access safety data sheets.
General Industry Standard Part 472, Medical Services and First Aid
- Rule 325.47201(3): An eyewash station capable of flushing eyes for 15 continuous minutes was not within the work area while utilizing injurious corrosive chemicals.
 A bench grinder was found without a work rest, increasing the risk of the operator losing control of the material and making contact with the abrasive wheel.
Why this matters
Machinery manufacturing (NAICS 333) is one of 10 high-hazard industries targeted in MIOSHA’s 2024–2028 strategic plan to reduce workplace injuries and illnesses. With Michigan’s strong manufacturing base, this industry ranks as the fifth largest high-hazard sector in the state —representing 69,300 workers across approximately 3,200 employers.
To help employers control these hazards, MIOSHA offers free safety and health resources:
Join MIOSHA in celebrating the 20th anniversary of Take a Stand for Workplace Safety and Health week, Aug. 11–15
During this special event, MIOSHA will dedicate enforcement and consultation staff to visit Michigan employers — to help strengthen workplace safety and health efforts. MIOSHA compliance and consultation staff will conduct one-on-one visits tailored to each employer’s specific hazards and areas of interest.
No citations or penalties are issued during these visits; however, employers must agree to correct any serious hazards identified.
If you are ready to jump-start your safety and health program — or reenergize an existing one — schedule a free and confidential visit by completing the Request for Consultation Assistance form.
Submit your request for the 2025 Take a Stand event at Michigan.gov/mioshatasd.
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By Shane Cappama, operations terminal manager, Marathon North Muskegon Terminal
 Newly installed ErectaStep platform improves safe access to a valve at Marathon Petroleum’s North Muskegon Terminal.
One of Marathon Petroleum’s best practices is its safety suggestion system. This system is a key way employees help identify opportunities to address physical hazards and demonstrate ownership of safety at their facility.
The electronic system allows any employee to submit a safety suggestion, which is then tracked through closure. A committee prioritizes each suggestion and oversees its completion. If a suggestion is not completed, justification is required, along with a safe work practice change to address the risk.
For example, North Muskegon operations submitted a suggestion to improve access to several valves after a process change required more frequent operation. The suggestion was approved, and three sets of ErectaStep platforms were purchased and installed. The platforms immediately improved ergonomic access and significantly reduced exposure to slips, trips and falls.
Marathon Petroleum’s North Muskegon Terminal has been a Michigan Voluntary Protection Program (MVPP) Star site since 2016, recognized for its exemplary safety and health management system. The terminal, located on 26 acres in North Muskegon, receives, stores and transports fuel and related petroleum products to gas stations across the region.
Join the ranks of Michigan’s MVPP STAR sites!
MIOSHA established its MVPP program in 1996 to recognize employers with exemplary safety and health management systems that go beyond state requirements. The program is open to Michigan employers with injury and illness rates below the industry average for the past three years.
To earn MVPP Star status, companies undergo a rigorous application process, including a safety and health program review, site visits and employee interviews to verify that the workplace meets MIOSHA’s criteria.
Learn more at Michigan.gov/MVPP.
By Mike Krafcik, MIOSHA communications specialist
 Members of the MIOSHA Cooperative Programs team with Barton Malow, Turner Construction Company and Dixon Construction Services at the Henry Ford Health Destination Grand Project site in Detroit.
MIOSHA continues to build strong partnerships across Michigan’s construction industry to help advance workplace safety and health. Two recent efforts reflect this ongoing commitment:
New construction partnership: Henry Ford Health Destination Grand Project
MIOSHA recently launched a new Construction Partnership with BTD, the joint venture team of Barton Malow, Turner Construction Company and Dixon Construction Services, working on Henry Ford Health’s Destination Grand Project in Detroit.
This high-profile, multi-phase hospital project will expand Henry Ford’s Detroit campus and create new opportunities for collaboration between MIOSHA and the construction partners on site. Through the partnership, MIOSHA will help foster a proactive safety culture on the project, offering guidance and consultation to support safe work practices across all phases of construction.
“This partnership gives us a valuable opportunity to work alongside the contractors and tradespeople helping to build this major project,” said Tarah Kile, MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training Division director. “We’re committed to providing the resources and support needed to foster a strong safety culture on site and to help ensure every worker goes home safe and healthy each day.”
To learn more about the MIOSHA Alliance Program, visit Michigan.gov/Mioshapartnerships.
Renewed alliances with industry partners
 MIOSHA representatives and the Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) at the alliance renewal signing on May 30, 2025. MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman and CAM President Kevin Koehler (center) are pictured with the signed agreement.
MIOSHA also renewed its alliance with the Construction Association of Michigan (CAM) May 30, extending a productive collaboration that began in 2005. Through this alliance, MIOSHA and CAM work together to provide construction contractors and workers with safety and health education, resources and outreach.
The renewed alliance focuses on joint efforts to promote hazard awareness and best practices in areas such as fall protection, silica safety, trenching and excavation, and heat illness prevention. MIOSHA also partners with CAM to support statewide safety events and provide training opportunities for CAM members.
 Representatives from the Masonry Institute of Michigan (left three) with MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training Division Director Tarah Kile (right) at the Masonry Institute of Michigan Alliance renewal signing on May 20, 2025.
In addition, May 20, MIOSHA renewed its alliance with the Masonry Institute of Michigan — a continued commitment to advancing jobsite safety and health across Michigan’s masonry industry. This partnership is part of the MIOSHA Alliance Program, which now includes 23 organizations dedicated to strengthening workplace safety and health through education, outreach and engagement.
Looking Ahead
Partnerships and alliances remain a key part of MIOSHA’s mission to help protect the safety and health of Michigan workers. These collaborations allow MIOSHA to reach a broader audience across the construction industry and promote continuous improvement in workplace safety.
To learn more about MIOSHA partnerships and alliances, visit Michigan.gov/MIOSHAPartnerships and Michigan.gov/Alliance.
 MIOSHA encourages employers to prioritize workplace safety with the message “Educate Before We Regulate.” Resources are available at Michigan.gov/cet.
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