​MI Issues $30K In Fines To Businesses Violating COVID Rules

MICHIGAN — The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration has issued over $30,000 in fines to businesses across the state for violating safety rules put in place during the coronavirus pandemic.

MIOSHA cited six different businesses with serious violations for failing to uphold safe and healthy practices, potentially putting workers in harm’s way, the state announced Friday.

“We’re focused on education first so employers know what they must do to safely reopen. But a failure to follow guidelines puts everyone at risk," said Michigan COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan. "While these citations are necessary to prevent potential serious illness, they are not a reflection of the tremendous cooperation we have seen from employers and their workers across the state.

"A vast majority of businesses are doing their part to keep our economy open by following the proper guidance.”

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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.

The cited companies will have 15 working days from receipt of the MIOSHA citations to contest the violations and penalties. The citations include suggestions to fix the hazards to protect employees. Employers must provide proof to MIOSHA that abatement has been completed. The first group of MIOSHA COVID-19 general duty citations included the following companies:

• United Shore Financial Services, LLC, based in Pontiac
• UPS distribution facility based in Livonia, MI
• Speedway, LLC, gas station and convenience store location based in Waterford, MI
• Coop’s Iron Works, a fitness center based in Saginaw, MI
• Dan Freed, a residential contractor based in Eaton Rapids, MI
• Hills Roofing, LLC based in Niles, MI

“The MIOSHA investigations determined that these six employers were clearly not taking the appropriate steps to protect employees and their communities from the spread of COVID-19,” MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman said. “These citations are meant to reiterate the employer’s duty. Precautions are necessary to establish and maintain a work environment where everyone can return home safe and healthy.”

Prior to these latest inspections, MIOSHA released two State Emphasis Programs, one to ensure hospital workers are provided the appropriate personal protective equipment and the other to protect employees in the service industry where there in an increased risk of coronavirus transmission, including restaurants, bars and retail establishments.