MIOSHA takes aim at hazards encountered during blight removal
October 5, 2016
Lansing, MI – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration is looking to protect workers from hazards linked to asbestos, lead and cadmium that may be encountered during blight removal projects, as part of a one-year state emphasis program launched in September.
The program will focus mainly on residential jobsites. MIOSHA said it will increase inspections at blight removal jobsites and work with employers during each inspection to help them identify hazards.
“As Michigan continues to eliminate blight and revitalize its neighborhoods, it’s especially important that the men and women working on these projects are protected from potential health hazards,” MIOSHA Acting Director Bart Pickelman said in a press release “MIOSHA will be inspecting more jobsites to ensure employees involved in blight cleanup are properly trained, protected and equipped to work with hazardous materials in a safe manner.”
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MIOSHA Targets Blight Removal Projects to Protect Workers from Asbestos and Other Hazards
Media Contact: LARA Communications 517-373-9280
Consumer Contact: 800-866-4674
Email: mediainfo@michigan.gov
September 7, 2016 – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has launched a state emphasis program that will increase MIOSHA presence on blight removal projects across the state to address hazards such as asbestos and lead that pose health threats to workers. MIOSHA is part of the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs (LARA).
In 2010, the U.S. Department of the Treasury provided assistance to states most severely impacted by the foreclosure crisis. Michigan received additional funding for blight removal in 2016, predominantly in the Cities of Detroit and Flint.
During the year-long program, MIOSHA will inspect mostly residential blight removal jobsites for hazards associated with asbestos, lead and cadmium, as well as all other serous hazards.
“As Michigan continues to eliminate blight and revitalize its neighborhoods, its especially important that the men and women working on these projects are protected from potential health hazards,” said MIOSHA Acting Director Bart Pickelman. “Beginning this month, MIOSHA will be inspecting more jobsites to ensure employees involved in blight cleanup are properly trained, protected and equipped to work with hazardous materials in a safe manner.”
Blight reduction hazards include materials within structural members such as lead, asbestos, cadmium, silica and other chemicals or heavy metals requiring special material handling. During each inspection, the agency will work with employers to assist them in identifying hazards that are associated with these hazardous work operations.
MIOSHA’s Asbestos Program ensures that people working with asbestos are properly trained and the individuals performing asbestos removal comply with rules governing the work activity. Contractors performing friable asbestos removal or encapsulation work in Michigan must provide project notifications indicating the start and end dates and other job-related information to the Asbestos Program within a specified time frame.