Employers: Are You Following Michigan’s New Mandatory Employee Safety Requirements?
Download PDF- McDonald, Christina K. Wood, Kathryn S. Deromedi, David R.
- Industry Alerts
Want to get our alerts?
Click “Subscribe Now” to get attorney insights on the latest developments in a range of services and industries.
Coronavirus continues to impose hardships on lives around the globe. Employers of American workers have to adjust to constantly-evolving laws and regulations governing their operations to keep their employees safe.
On Friday, April 24, Michigan’s Governor Whitmer issued an extension of her “Stay Home, Stay Safe Order,” through May 15, 2020. Executive Order 2020-59 (COVID-19) contains new, mandatory requirements for employers who continue to operate in-person or who are now permitted to “resume” in-person operations.
For example, as of April 26, 2020 at midnight, employers must “provide non-medical grade face coverings to their workers” who perform in-person work. All Michiganders who can “medically tolerate a face covering” must wear a “cover over his or her nose and mouth – such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief—when in any enclosed public space.” Persons wearing masks are protected from discrimination on the basis of their mask-wearing under Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws.
In addition, Employers with in-person operations must have a written “COVID-19 preparedness and response plan” that is consistent with CDC and OSHA safety guidance. Employers must adopt cleaning and disinfecting protocols; adopt policies to prevent workers from entering the premises if they have respiratory symptoms or have had contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19; follow all social distancing and mitigation measures recommended by the CDC; and provide other appropriate personal protective equipment.
Employers should honestly assess their employees’ risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19, their social distancing and safety measures, and guidance from OSHA and the CDC to update safety practices.
Attorneys at Dickinson Wright are available for you if you have any questions or concerns about your company’s compliance with current guidance, regulations, and standards. In addition, Dickinson Wright can assist your business with developing a required COVID-19 Preparedness and Response plan. Please contact us for more information.
This client alert is published by Dickinson Wright PLLC to inform our clients and friends of important developments in Labor and Employment. The foregoing content is informational only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. We encourage you to consult a Dickinson Wright attorney if you have specific questions relating to any of the topics covered.
On Friday, April 24, Michigan’s Governor Whitmer issued an extension of her “Stay Home, Stay Safe Order,” through May 15, 2020. Executive Order 2020-59 (COVID-19) contains new, mandatory requirements for employers who continue to operate in-person or who are now permitted to “resume” in-person operations.
For example, as of April 26, 2020 at midnight, employers must “provide non-medical grade face coverings to their workers” who perform in-person work. All Michiganders who can “medically tolerate a face covering” must wear a “cover over his or her nose and mouth – such as a homemade mask, scarf, bandana, or handkerchief—when in any enclosed public space.” Persons wearing masks are protected from discrimination on the basis of their mask-wearing under Michigan’s anti-discrimination laws.
In addition, Employers with in-person operations must have a written “COVID-19 preparedness and response plan” that is consistent with CDC and OSHA safety guidance. Employers must adopt cleaning and disinfecting protocols; adopt policies to prevent workers from entering the premises if they have respiratory symptoms or have had contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19; follow all social distancing and mitigation measures recommended by the CDC; and provide other appropriate personal protective equipment.
Employers should honestly assess their employees’ risk of occupational exposure to COVID-19, their social distancing and safety measures, and guidance from OSHA and the CDC to update safety practices.
Attorneys at Dickinson Wright are available for you if you have any questions or concerns about your company’s compliance with current guidance, regulations, and standards. In addition, Dickinson Wright can assist your business with developing a required COVID-19 Preparedness and Response plan. Please contact us for more information.
This client alert is published by Dickinson Wright PLLC to inform our clients and friends of important developments in Labor and Employment. The foregoing content is informational only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. We encourage you to consult a Dickinson Wright attorney if you have specific questions relating to any of the topics covered.
Related Practices
Contacts
Recent Insights
- Industry Alerts Governor Whitmer Signs COVID-19 Legislation Applicable to All Employers
- Industry Alerts COVID-19 Return-to-Work Checklist from a Canadian Employment Law Perspective
- Industry Alerts COVID-19 Return-to-Work Checklist from an Employment Law Perspective
- November 21, 2024 In the News Five Dickinson Wright Attorneys Recognized in 2024 Mid-South Super Lawyers
- November 19, 2024 Industry Alerts Hold Up, Wait a Minute: Judge Blocks Salary Threshold Increase and Rolls It Back to Pre-July 2024
- August 22, 2024 Industry Alerts Federal Judge Sets Aside the FTC’s Noncompete Ban
- August 05, 2024 Industry Alerts Michigan Employers Must Increase Sick Time and Minimum Wage by February 21, 2025
- July 19, 2024 In the News Don’t miss out on Suzanne Sukkar and Najah Allaham’s article, “H-2B Visas as Quality Solution for Hospitality: Improve Customer Service With a Fully Staffed Team,” which was published by Hotel Online.
- June 6, 2024 In the News Dickinson Wright Receives Top Rankings in 2024 Chambers USA Guide; 51 Attorneys Recognized as Leaders in their Fields