New COVID-19 Emergency Rules Take Effect in Michigan

New emergency rules issued by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) establish general workplace safety requirements for all businesses in the state as well as specific requirements for industries such as manufacturing, construction, retail, healthcare, gyms and fitness centers, and restaurants and bars. The rules require businesses that resume in-person work to develop and implement a written COVID-19 preparedness and response plan and to provide employee training on workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of personal protective equipment, and how to report unsafe working conditions. Employers must also train workers on how to report signs and symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed COVID-19 diagnosis. In addition, MIOSHA’s new rules address basic infection prevention measures, health surveillance, workplace controls, and recordkeeping. The rules took effect on Oct. 14 and will remain in effect for six months.

The full text of the rules is available on the website of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity (PDF). The department’s COVID-19 workplace safety guidance page includes links to state guidelines by industry, a sample COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, and a reopening checklist.

Michigan is the third state to adopt pandemic-related emergency standards, behind Oregon, where state OSHA proposed a temporary rule addressing workplace COVID-19 prevention practices back in August (PDF), and Virginia, where a temporary COVID-19 workplace safety standard has been effective since July 27 (PDF).