Michigan Osha Policy for Contractors
Since 1973, Michigan has had a state plan to keep jobsites as safe as possible. With OSHA policy in Michigan, the state lays out rules designed to prevent accidents like falls, electrocutions, and getting crushed between objects. In other words, when followed, this OSHA policy should minimize the risk of the most common workplace accidents.
While most contractors work hard to keep themselves and their team safe, following OSHA policy can feel arduous and confusing. But it doesn’t have to be this way.
With this quick primer on OSHA policy in Michigan and a few of your continuing education hours, you can stay informed and avoid a violation.
Who is subject to Michigan’s OSHA policy?
MIOSHA is pretty far-reaching. It applies to every public and private jobsite throughout the state, with just a few exceptions:
- Federal projects
- USPS projects
- Maritime and mining activities
That doesn’t mean those exceptions are free from health and safety requirements; they’re just subject to federal OSHA, not the OSHA policy in Michigan.
How do OSHA enforcement policies work?
If you’re a contractor, OSHA enforcement policies get carried out on your jobsite by compliance officers from MIOSHA’s Construction Safety and Health Division. These officers conduct inspections of construction sites when they’re scheduled by the contractor or when they think something might need to be corrected at the site, like after worker complaints or reports of imminent danger.
What about OSHA drug testing policy?
In May 2016, MIOSHA amended 29 C.F.R. § 1904.35 to prevent retaliation against employees who report workplace injuries. But that amendment caused some confusion, particularly around drug testing after a workplace accident.
To rectify that, the state issued a clarification about OSHA drug testing policy. Specifically, it says that employers can drug test after a workplace injury. It also clarifies that many other forms of drug testing, including random drug tests, are permissible.
For more information on OSHA drug testing policy and when it’s acceptable to drug test, check Article 53.
How can contractors avoid violating OSHA policy in Michigan?
Fortunately, this is pretty easy. If you don’t want to find yourself subject to OSHA enforcement policies but don’t have any extra time to spare to brush up on MIOSHA regulations, don’t worry.
You can use the continuing education requirement hours you already need to stay informed about the most current requirements from OSHA policy in Michigan. (This page has a list of state-approved CE course options to choose from)
All licensed Michigan contractors need three hours of CE per renewal cycle, and one of those hours needs to focus specifically on safety. By taking online, at-your-pace safety CE that focuses on OSHA rules, you can meet that requirement and help yourself avoid OSHA enforcement policies.
If you’ve been licensed for fewer than six years, the Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA) requires 21 hours of CE from you. That might sound like a headache, but you can use a good chunk of that time to brush up on OSHA policy — and how to avoid a violation. This online, on-demand 21-hour CE course has a section specifically on OSHA policy in Michigan, for example.
Use your CE hours to stay in-the-know and you’ll have an easier time complying with OSHA policy in Michigan.