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When MIOSHA Visits During COVID-19

This article appeared in the November 2020 issue of MiMfg Magazine. Read the full issue and find past issues online.

Despite rapidly changing workplace orders and rules, COVID-19 continues to be a threat and your commitment and obligation to keeping your employees safe continues as well. Employee complaints to MIOSHA have exponentially increased and field inspectors are out in force conducting investigations. If you happen to get a visit from a MIOSHA inspector, here are some helpful tips to ensure an uneventful interaction.

First, remember you must let the MIOSHA inspector in and have them follow your COVID-19 visitor screening requirements. This should include signing in, answering a health screening and maybe even a temperature check, if that is in your COVID-19 Preparedness and Response Plan.

Once the MIOSHA inspector has completed the screening protocols, you will need to escort them to a space where they can interview a designated workplace COVID-19 coordinator. A person who is familiar with your plan must be on-site at all times so identifying multiple team members who can serve in this role will help with redundancy.

The inspector will then sit down and review your program and documentation. To ensure a quick and seamless process, incorporate any postings, documentation and other communications that you’ve used during this event along with your plan. If you are using N95s as part of your normal business practice, have your respirator protection plan at hand as well, including your most recent fit-testing results and medical questionnaire of the employees who are in the program.

Once the inspector has completed a review of your written program, let them see you walk the walk. When the rubber hits the road, he or she will know if you consistently follow the plan you have written or have slipped in your management of your COVID-19 plan. How are your work stations spaced? What PPE have you provided? Have you increased sanitation stations? Are you cleaning more frequently? Have you posted the required signs? Are you properly staggering start times, break times and adhering to screening protocols?

They will also be looking for the foremost common manufacturing violations such as guarding, electrical and other safety items.

Workplace safety requirements are not new to manufacturers but the addition of new and frequently changing goal lines are. It’s a lot added to an already busy and fast-paced industry. But with some added diligence and preparation, you can play by the rules of this ever-changing game and, hopefully, the end zone will be rushing toward us soon so we can get back to business as usual.


Premium Associate MemberMTMIC is an MMA Premium Associate Member and has been a member company since January 2018. Visit online: mtmic.com.

About the Author

Ruth KieferRuth Kiefer, MSc, ARM, is Vice President of Loss Control for MTMIC. She may be reached at 248-804-8434 or ruth.kiefer@mtmic.com.