 Workers and MIOSHA staff participate in a National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction event at the Tower on Grand project in downtown Lansing on May 8, 2026.
Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) joined construction employers, workers and industry partners across Michigan during Construction Safety Week and the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction to reinforce the importance of fall prevention and jobsite safety awareness.
In May, MIOSHA representatives participated in stand-down events, toolbox talks and safety discussions at several major construction sites statewide, including the Tower on Grand project in downtown Lansing, the Kalamazoo Event Center, the Friendship Village expansion in Kalamazoo and Henry Ford Hospital’s Destination Grand project in Detroit.
These events brought together workers, contractors and project leaders to pause work activities and focus on recognizing hazards, improving communication and strengthening safety practices on the jobsite. Falls continue to be one of the leading causes of serious injuries and fatalities in the construction industry.
 MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman addresses workers and project partners during a National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction event at the Kalamazoo Event Center project on May 7, 2026.
MIOSHA encouraged employers and workers to remain vigilant and prioritize proper fall protection planning, training and equipment use during all phases of construction work. Key fall prevention reminders highlighted during the week included:
- Planning tasks to identify and address fall hazards before work begins
- Ensuring workers use appropriate fall protection equipment when working at heights
- Inspecting ladders, scaffolding and personal fall arrest systems before use
- Maintaining safe walking and working surfaces
- Encouraging workers to speak up about unsafe conditions and jobsite hazards
MIOSHA representatives also emphasized the importance of situational awareness and recognizing changing conditions that can contribute to struck-by, caught-in and fall-related incidents. Many participating worksites incorporated safety demonstrations, worker engagement activities and toolbox talks to reinforce shared responsibility for protecting workers on the jobsite.
Construction Safety Week and the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction are annual efforts that encourage employers and workers to focus on hazard recognition and injury prevention throughout the construction industry.
Through outreach, partnerships and education, MIOSHA continues working with employers and workers across Michigan to help prevent injuries and fatalities in construction workplaces. For additional fall prevention information, visit Michigan.gov/StopFalls.
 MIOSHA Occupational Safety Consultant Tom Hansen speaks to construction workers during a 2026 National Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction event with EV Construction in Kalamazoo.
 As temperatures begin rising across Michigan, MIOSHA is encouraging employers to review workplace heat illness prevention procedures and take steps to protect workers from heat-related hazards. Hot and humid conditions can create serious risks for both outdoor and indoor workers, particularly those performing physically demanding tasks or working in areas with limited ventilation.
Heat-related illnesses can develop quickly and may range from heat cramps and heat exhaustion to heat stroke, which can be life-threatening if not treated immediately. Workers who are new to a job or returning after time away from work may face a greater risk as their bodies gradually adjust to working in hot conditions.
MIOSHA encourages employers to establish heat illness prevention procedures and train workers and supervisors to recognize the signs and symptoms of heat-related illness before conditions become dangerous. Employers should evaluate workplace conditions and take appropriate precautions to reduce heat stress and protect employees.
Important heat illness prevention measures include:
- Providing workers with access to water, rest and shade or cooler recovery areas
- Scheduling strenuous work during cooler parts of the day when possible
- Allowing workers time to gradually build heat tolerance through acclimatization
- Monitoring weather conditions and heat index levels
- Watching for signs of heat-related illness among workers
- Developing emergency response procedures for heat-related incidents
Heat hazards can impact workers across many industries, including construction, landscaping, agriculture, manufacturing and warehousing. Employers are responsible for protecting workers from recognized workplace hazards, including heat-related hazards.
For additional heat illness prevention resources and MIOSHA’s sample heat illness prevention plan, visit Michigan.gov/heat.
 MIOSHA is encouraging employers and workers to strengthen situational awareness on the job through a new online resource page and webinar recording focused on helping prevent serious workplace injuries and fatalities.
The new resource page, available at Michigan.gov/StayAlert, features practical information and a recorded webinar discussing ways employers and workers can recognize hazards, adapt to changing conditions and improve attention and decision-making in the workplace.
The effort comes as MIOSHA continues emphasizing the importance of preventing struck-by, crush-by and caught-in incidents — hazards that remain among the leading causes of serious workplace injuries and fatalities across multiple industries, including construction, manufacturing, warehousing and transportation.
“In Michigan in 2025, 57% of all occupational fatalities were the result of contact incidents,” said MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training Division Director Tarah Kile. “Strengthening situational awareness on the job can help workers recognize hazards earlier, improve decision-making and prevent serious injuries.”
 Click to watch the MIOSHA Situational Awareness Webinar
MIOSHA Situational Awareness Webinar The webinar, presented by MIOSHA Occupational Safety Advisors Janelle Allen and Rebekah Mosci, focused on common contributing factors in contact incidents, recognizing warning signs and practical strategies workers and employers can use to improve workplace awareness and communication.
Topics discussed during the webinar included distracted work environments, blind spots around equipment, changing jobsite conditions, communication challenges and maintaining awareness during routine tasks..
Visit Michigan.gov/StayAlert to access the webinar recording and additional situational awareness resources.
By Mike Krafcik, MIOSHA Communications Specialist
 Participants pose with certificates after completing MIOSHA’s Construction Boot Camp Level One program hosted by the Home Builders Association of Northwest Michigan in Traverse City.
As Michigan recognizes May as Professional Trades Month, a recent MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI) Construction Boot Camp class reflected the growing opportunities available in construction and workplace safety careers across the state.
Participants in MIOSHA’s Construction Boot Camp Level 1 completed intensive safety and health training focused on real-world construction hazards and workplace safety leadership. Graduates earned their OSHA 30-Hour cards and MTI Level One Construction Safety certificates after completing courses taught by experienced MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training consultants.
The Boot Camp covered a wide range of construction safety topics, including fall protection, excavation safety, silica hazards, scaffolds, mobile equipment safety and electrical hazards.
 Erica Young poses with her MTI Level One Construction Safety certificate after completing MIOSHA’s Construction Boot Camp Level One program in Traverse City.
One of the most notable aspects of this year’s class was the strong participation of women pursuing careers in construction and workplace safety. Seven of the program’s 13 graduates were women.
“There was more women than men in this class, which is awesome,” said Erica Young, a Level 1 Construction Boot Camp graduate. “I feel it’s a male-dominated industry, and to see the women coming up is great. I love it.”
The class also brought together participants from a variety of industries and organizations, including construction, excavation, electrical trades, Michigan Department of Transportation and the State of Michigan.
“They said this was the biggest boot camp class we’ve had,” Young said. “It was nice to meet people in different industries and be able to learn from those people.”
Gov. Whitmer proclaimed May 2026 as Professional Trades Month in Michigan, recognizing the important role skilled trades workers play in supporting Michigan’s economy and infrastructure while highlighting growing career opportunities in construction and other high-demand industries.
According to the proclamation, professional trades are expected to account for more than 518,300 jobs in Michigan through 2032, with approximately 40,600 annual openings projected statewide during that period.
Learn more about MIOSHA Training Institute programs and courses at Michigan.gov/MTI.
The next MTI Boot Camp (Level Two Safety and Health Management Systems) is scheduled June 9-25 in Traverse City. The six-day course is designed for individuals interested in advancing their workplace safety and health knowledge and developing stronger safety and health management systems.
MTI is also offering several free asbestos and lead awareness training courses across Michigan this summer through MIOSHA’s Asbestos Program. Additional information and registration details are available at Michigan.gov/asbestos.
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 Joe Savedge, second from right, Industrial Hygiene Specialist with MIOSHA’s Asbestos Program, participates in a panel discussion during the 2026 Asbestos Symposium on April 29 in Troy alongside (from left) Jeff Benya, EGLE; Jeff Dore, Detroit Dismantling; Tim Gunn, Adamo; and Paul Brant, Homrich.
MIOSHA participated in the 2026 Asbestos Symposium hosted by the National Demolition Association Michigan Chapter on April 29 in Troy, joining industry stakeholders for discussions focused on asbestos regulations, compliance expectations and workplace safety.
The symposium brought together demolition contractors, asbestos abatement professionals, environmental consultants and regulatory agencies to discuss current industry challenges and best practices related to asbestos safety and compliance.
MIOSHA Construction Safety and Health Division Industrial Hygienist Joe Savedge represented the agency during the event and delivered a presentation on asbestos-related safety and health requirements. The session also included discussion with attendees on compliance expectations, worker protections and industry safety practices.
Representatives from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) also participated in the symposium to help answer questions and provide regulatory guidance.
Following the event, National Demolition Association Michigan Chapter President Jeff Dore thanked MIOSHA for participating and noted that the discussions helped support industry alignment and compliance efforts.
The symposium reflected MIOSHA’s continued commitment to outreach, education and collaboration with employers and industry stakeholders to help protect the safety and health of Michigan workers.
Learn more about MIOSHA’s Asbestos Program, asbestos licensing and accreditation requirements, training opportunities and compliance resources at Michigan.gov/asbestos.
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.
There have been 15 work-related fatalities reported to MIOSHA in 2026. The information below shares preliminary details about those fatalities, which are believed to be covered by the MIOSH Act. The description reflects information provided to MIOSHA at the initial report of the incidents and are not the result of any official MIOSHA investigation.
Preliminary summaries of all fatalities are available at Michigan.gov/mioshafatalities.
Preliminary Summary of Recent Incidents
A 50-year-old laborer was performing tree-trimming operations when a tree branch fell and struck him in the head.
A 49-year-old transportation maintenance worker and 51-year-old transportation maintenance worker were patching potholes along the right shoulder of Northbound US-127, South of Holt Road. A passenger vehicle swerved to avoid the arrow-board truck, and the driver subsequently lost control. The vehicle entered the work area and struck both victims.
A 34-year-old die setter was assisting in setting a die. While the die was being lowered, the crane operator noticed the locating pin was in wrong position and began raising the die back up. As the worker climbed off the bolster to locate the pin, the die caught another die, began swinging then struck and pinned the victim between the two dies.
A 26-year-old roofer was working on the roof of a garage throwing shingles in the dumpster when the worker fell headfirst onto the concrete driveway. The victim was taken to the hospital and died from their injuries the following day.
A 45-year-old tow truck driver was performing hydraulic maintenance beneath a rollback (flatbed) tow truck when the hydraulics failed. The flatbed dropped and crushed the victim.
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