Over 2K businesses setting standard for virus workplace safety compliance

Oakland County has dozens in MIOSHA program

Dozens of Oakland County businesses have joined the over 2,000 businesses statewide that have participated in the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) COVID-19 Workplace Safety Ambassador Program.

The program is a partnership between MIOSHA and NSF International, which provides staff to serve as workplace safety ambassadors who visit and work with Michigan business owners to help them better implement COVID-19 workplace safety measures and best practices. The program was launched in September.

Overall, the ambassadors have reported high rates of willingness to participate, compliance with COVID-19 workplace safety requirements, and eagerness to enhance protocols as suggested by the consultants. Through both popin and scheduled visits, the ambassadors offer free education and oneon-one support to help businesses apply safety precautions to their individual situations.

MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman said the free educational program can help Michigan employers protect their employees, customers and local communities from the spread of COVID-19.

“We have found the majority of the state’s job providers are implementing strategies to keep their workplaces safe and we encourage them to utilize the Ambassador Program and all of MIOSHA’s COVID-19 safety resources,” he said.

To date, the program has been primarily focused on retail stores, restaurants and fitness centers, but recently MIOSHA announced it would begin offering Ambassador visits to childcare centers across the state.

The ambassadors have reported that over 90% of businesses visited are complying with face covering, cleaning and disinfection and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements. There have also been observed opportunities for continued education and improvement in employee training, record keeping, COVID-19 signage and written plan documents.

Paul Medeiros, managing director of consulting and technical services at NSF International, said business owners have seen that the program visits are consultative, collaborative and valuable.

“We are here to help them succeed during the pandemic and stay open safely with the appropriate COVID-19 controls in place,” he said.

In Oakland County, 39 businesses have completed a tier two ambassador program visit, which is the more in-depth consultation. Statewide, a total of 263 businesses have completed their tier two consultation.

Employers can request a COVID-19 workplace safety Ambassador visits at: https://www.nsf.org/search?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery. NSF Ambassadors plan to visit thousands of additional Michigan businesses during the coming months.

Businesses that participate in the program may receive official signage from MIOSHA to recognize their COVID-19 workplace safety commitment.