As the state continues to prioritize worker safety and health, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) inspected and issued COVID-19 emergency rule or general duty citations to twenty different workplaces with violations for failing to protect workers and take safety precautions.
Under MIOSHA’s Emergency Rules, businesses that resume in-person work must, among other things, have a written COVID-19 preparedness and response plan and provide thorough training to their employees that covers, at a minimum, workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of personal protection equipment (PPE) and steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19. Three Flint employers were issued COVID-19 Emergency Rules Citations. An emergency rule citation carries a fine of up to $7,000.
The MIOSHA general duty clause requires an employer to provide a workplace that is free from recognized hazards that are causing, or are likely to cause, death or serious physical harm to the employee. A general duty clause citation carries a fine of up to $7,000.
On-site inspections conducted by MIOSHA’s general industry and construction industry enforcement divisions determined ten employers allegedly committed violations by failing to implement necessary precautions to protect employees from contracting COVID-19. Deficiencies included a lack of health screenings, face coverings, employee training, and overall preparedness plans.
The cited employers have 15 working days from receipt of the MIOSHA citations to contest the violations and penalties. Employers must provide proof to MIOSHA that abatement has been completed.
A cited employer may choose to enter into a Penalty Reduction Agreement with MIOSHA and agree to abate noted hazards by the abatement date provided within the citation and will receive a 50% reduction in penalties. By entering into the Agreement an employer must also agree to not seek an appeal.
COVID-19 Emergency Rules Citations were issued to:
Artistic Decorating, Inc. of Flint, MI, was cited for an other-than-serious violation of MIOSHA COVID-19 Emergency Rules, specifically the lack of a written preparedness and response plan. Total penalties, including other workplace violations, were $1,000. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection. Click here to view citation document: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/leo/Final_-_Artistic_Decorating_Inc._-_1499528_-_Covid_Citation_715323_7.pdf
F. Corporation DBA D.F. Floor Covering of Flint, MI, was fined $1,000 for violations of COVID-19 workplace safety requirements for not developing a preparedness and response plan, not documenting daily health screenings, not requiring face coverings, and no training for COVID-19. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection. Click here to view citation document: https://lnks.gd/l/eyJhbGciOiJIUzI1NiJ9.eyJidWxsZXRpbl9saW5rX2lkIjoxMDQsInVyaSI6ImJwMjpjbGljayIsImJ1bGxldGluX2lkIjoiMjAyMTAyMDUuMzQ3NDE4MjEiLCJ1cmwiOiJodHRwczovL3d3dy5taWNoaWdhbi5nb3YvZG9jdW1lbnRzL2xlby9GaW5hbF8tX0QuRi5fQ29ycG9yYXRpb25fREJBX0QuRi5fRmxvb3JfQ292ZXJpbmdfLV8xNTAyNzMyXy1fQ292aWRfQ2l0YXRpb25fNzE1MzM1XzcucGRmIn0.s7uu_7qXAJmSHM83vJZRHF97matKXpIHRVLN0gSJkuE/s/1128721466/br/97162977737-l
JRN Construction Services, LLC of Flint, MI, was cited for an other-than-serious violation of MIOSHA COVID-19 Emergency Rules, specifically the lack of a preparedness and response plan. Total penalties, including other workplace violations, were $800. The inspection was initiated as a planned-programmed inspection. Click here to view full citation document: https://www.michigan.gov/documents/leo/Final_-_JRN_Construction_Services_LLC_-_1499735_-_Covid_Citation_715353_7.pdf
Eight other Michigan employers were issued COVID-19 Emergency Rules Citations, and nine were issued General Duty Citations.
