Read the June 2020 Newsletter Here

CodeNotes: Nail salon exhaust requirements in the I-Codes The design of exhaust systems is extremely important to the occupants of a building. There are specific occupancies and activities — including manicure tables and pedicure stations — that have the potential for introducing hazardous substances into the indoor environment. Nail salons are one such occupancy. There are approximately 200,000 nail salons in the U.S. utilizing manicure and pedicure stations. These types of activities use chemicals like acetone, isopropyl alcohol and formaldehyde that may be exposed to the atmosphere when the station is not in use. To maintain safety to workers and customers, the fumes from these chemicals must be removed from the space. Section 502.20.1 Operation was added to the 2021 IMC to help accomplish this. Read more

As businesses begin to reopen, employees are encouraged to get a COVID-19 test if they are at risk of exposure. This includes employees who are in contact with the public or work in industries that have seen outbreaks, such as farming, food processing, animal industries, etc., even if the employee does not have symptoms. Increased testing will help determine where the virus is so we can stop it before it spreads and safely re-engage the economy. Testing is NOT required for employees to return to work. Testing WILL help us keep workplaces safer by stopping the spread. Our goal is to test 30,000 people per day. Please help us meet this goal by encouraging your employees to get tested. CLICK HERE TO FIND COVID-19 TEST CENTERS

MIOSHA Launches New Site for COVID-19 Workplace Safety Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety is one-stop-shop for workplace safety resources as businesses reopen The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) within the Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity (LEO) launched a new online COVID-19 Workplace Safety site – Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety – the site provides guidance and a toolkit of resources to keep workplaces safe as sectors of the state's economy reopen.  With the continued risk of COVID-19 spread, everyone in the workplace must take necessary precautions. The site includes MIOSHA issued guidelines, posters for employees and customers, factsheets, educational videos and a reopening checklist – all of which will help businesses safely  reopening their doors.   "As we reengage our economy and begin the long road back to our normal routines, it's critical that we do so safely," LEO Director Jeff Donofrio said. "Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety is designed to make the process of reopening safely easier and equip businesses and their staff with the resources necessary to protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19."  In addition to the general workplace guidelines for employer and employees, MIOSHA provided further clarification on necessary steps several other sectors must take when reopening, including:   Construction Manufacturing Offices Research laboratories Restaurants and bars Retail Outpatient healthcare The site also provides guidance on how employers create and make available to employees and customers, a written exposure control plan which includes exposure determination and outlines measures that will be taken to prevent employee exposure to COVID-19, including as appropriate: Engineering controls Administrative controls Hand hygiene and environmental surface disinfection Personal protective equipment Health surveillance Training Incorporating the latest guidance for COVID-19 from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and the Governor's Executive Orders   "Our first priority is to protect workers from the spread of COVID-19," MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman said. "Employers, employees, and customers who follow these guidelines will help ensure that everyone returns home safe at the end of the day."   Best practices that employees should follow to be vigilant in protecting themselves from exposure to COVID-19:   Wash hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and water, Limit contact with others by remaining six feet apart, Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and tools routinely, Stay home if you or someone in your household is sick, Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth, and Practice self-screenings to check for any abnormal/new symptoms. Those with questions regarding workplace safety and health may contact MIOSHA using the new hotline at 855-SAFEC19 (855-723-3219).  To report health and safety concerns in the workplace, go to michigan.gov/MIOSHAcomplaint. Learn more about MIOSHA and their efforts to protect Michigan's workforce at Michigan.gov/MIOSHA and routinely check the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Guidance toolkit for the latest materials at Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety. Information around this outbreak is changing rapidly. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

LANSING, Mich. — Today, Governor Gretchen Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-100 to extend Michigan’s Safer at Home order until June 12, 2020.

The governor’s order also extends the temporary closure of certain places of public accommodation such as theaters, gyms, and casinos. 

The governor also signed Executive Order 2020-99 to extend the state of emergency declaration related to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was upheld by Judge Cynthia Stephens on May 21, 2020. Since COVID-19 was first discovered in Michigan, Governor Whitmer has taken swift action to protect Michigan families and workers.

Cases in some counties in Western and Mid-Michigan are now doubling approximately every 10 days. To continue to protect Michigan families from both the public health and economic impacts of the virus, and to lower the chance of a second wave, the governor’s emergency declaration is extended until June 19, 2020. 

“While the data shows that we are making progress, we are not out of the woods yet. If we’re going to lower the chance of a second wave and continue to protect our neighbors and loved ones from the spread of this virus, we must continue to do our part by staying safer at home,” said Governor Whitmer. “If we open too soon, thousands more could die and our hospitals will get overwhelmed.  While we finally have more protective equipment like masks, we can’t run the risk of running low again. We owe it to the real heroes on the front lines of this crisis – our first responders, health care workers, and critical workers putting their lives on the line every day – to do what we can ourselves to stop the spread of the virus.” 

Executive Order 2020-100 also clarifies and, as necessary, extends the duration of a number of previous executive orders designed to protect Michiganders and to provide them the support they need.

The extended orders cover protections for workers who stay home and stay safe when they or their close contacts are sick, restoring water service to those whose water has been shut off, the affirmation of non-discrimination policies in the provision of COVID-19 care, and more. For a full list of extensions under Executive Order 2020-100, click the link to the order at the bottom of the page. 

“All of us know the importance of getting people back to work and the economy moving again,” said Governor Whitmer. “We’ve already loosened some restrictions on construction, manufacturing, landscaping, retail, and more. But the worst thing we can do is open up in a way that causes a second wave of infections and death, puts health care workers at further risk, and wipes out all the progress we’ve made.” 

Most recently, Gov. Whitmer signed executive order 2020-96 to reopen retail businesses and auto dealerships by appointment statewide on Tuesday, May 26, as part of her MI Safe Start plan. Effective on Friday, May 29, the governor also lifted the requirement that health care providers delay some nonessential medical, dental, and veterinary procedures statewide. And the governor also authorized small gatherings of 10 people or less starting immediately, as long as participants practice social distancing. 

Businesses that the governor has authorized to reopen must provide COVID-19 training to workers that covers, at a minimum, workplace infection-control practices, the proper use of PPE, steps workers must take to notify the business or operation of any symptoms of COVID-19 or a suspected or confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19, and how to report unsafe working conditions.   

To view Executive Orders 2020-99 and 2020-100, click the link below: 

• EO 2020-99 Emergency declaration.pdf
• EO 2020-100 Emerg order – amendments.pdf

Your operations are a critical part of your profitability, including emergency plans. On May 28th, watch Service Nation 101 with OSEA to keep your operations running smoothly and stay prepared. This webinar includes: Creating a pandemic business plan to prepare for operations to return to normal How to reduce exposure when going into your customer's homes and what to look out for with your team members Building an emergency plan if another pandemic (or crisis) emerges Ariana Naumovski is an experienced Environmental Health and Safety Manager at OSEA. Ariana has an extensive background in environmental health and safety, as well as project management with experience in large commercial construction as well as projects in the industry. She has also trained thousands of employees across New York State. The last couple of months have not been easy. Watch Service Nation 101 with OSEA to keep your company safe with new procedures. Don't forget: If you can't attend the webinar, register below and we'll send the recording right to you! Register Now!

New! Employer COVID-19 Response Plan & Preparedness Template In a recent Executive Order, Governor Whitmer laid out regulations for employers to provide a comprehensive written COVID-19 Response & Preparedness Plan. All businesses or operations that are permitted to require their employees to leave the homes or residences for work under Executive Order 2020-92, and any order that follows it, must, at a minimum: Develop a COVID-19 preparedness and response plan, consistent with recommendations in Guidance on Preparing Workplaces for COVID-19, developed by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration. By June 1, 2020, or within two weeks of resuming in-person activities, whichever is later, a business's or operation's plan must be made readily available to employees, labor unions, and customers, whether via website, internal network, or by hard copy. Our team has created a template for you to personalize based on your type of business. Download Your Template For more COVID-19 resources and upcoming webinars please visit the SBAM Resource Page

Federated Insurance Offers Complimentary

Review of Business Succession and

Estate Planning for MIACCA Members

Dear MIACCA Members:

In this time of uncertainty, families and businesses want to ensure that their financial affairs are in order. As a longstanding partner of the MIACCA, Federated Mutual Insurance Company is extending a unique opportunity to all association members: a complimentary review of business succession and estate plans by a member of their independent attorney network*. Whether you have a plan that is outdated, or no plan at all, a review via video conference with one of these attorneys can help provide you peace of mind.

Referrals to this independent attorney network are normally reserved for Federated Insurance clients, but are available to all MIACCA members during this time of crisis. If you and your family and/or business partners are interested in scheduling one of these video conferences, contact Nate Hoyle by e-mail nthoyle@fedins.com or phone 989-560-2818.

We wish you and your family safety and peace during these troubling times.

Now available: Recording of Michigan Saves' Peer-to-Peer Webinar on Returning to Work Safely Amid COVID-19.  Watch Here

On May 1st, Governor Whitmer signed Executive Order 2020-70 which serves as a Temporary requirement to suspend activities that are not necessary to sustain or protect life Rescission of Executive Order 2020-59.

READ FULL ORDER HERE