The Michigan Occupational Safety Administration (MIOSHA) announced on Monday that it will focus on enforcement of COVID-19 health requirements at “high risk” employers.
In a press release, MIOSHA announced the initiative will ensure “all workplaces remain safe for the community.” The initiative will focus on restaurants, bars, and retail establishments.
Sean Egan is the Director of COVID Workplace Safety for the state. He said the goal is to reduce community transmission.
“We do not let employers know. These will be spot inspections. A MIOSHA representative will walk through the door and simply get started.”
Egan said businesses could face fines of up to $7,000, but the goal, he said, is to educate rather than punish employers. He said he expects they will mostly handle minor violations.
“Not following capacity limits. Not requiring employees to wear face coverings. Not requiring customers to wear face coverings. Some of them are simple, that employers should just be doing on their own.”
Egan said the state has seen a 400% increase in workplace health complaints since the pandemic began.