On October 14, 2020, the director of the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity promulgated COVID-19 emergency rules pursuant to MCL 24.248, effective through April 14, 2021. On April 10, 2021, Governor Gretchen Whitmer extended the rules for an additional six months, until October 14, 2021.
The emergency rules apply to all employers covered by the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and “establish requirements for employers to control, prevent, and mitigate the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) among employees.” The rules include requirements for COVID-19 preparedness and response plans, infection prevention measures and health surveillance, workplace controls and personal protective equipment, industry-specific protocols, and training and record keeping.
MIOSHA has enforced these rules, issuing a number of citations to employers for violations such as failing to remove potentially infected employees from the workplace, failing to install required barriers, and failure to train.