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MIOSHA maintains active presence in U.P.

To the Journal editor:

In response to the “More MIOSHA presence needed” letter to the editor from Mr. Dan Perkins, published in your newspaper on Feb. 22, MIOSHA has, and continues to have, a daily and active presence in the U.P. to help ensure the health and safety of working men and women. MIOSHA has not “pulled its representation out of the Upper Peninsula.” The MIOSHA consultant Mr. Perkins referred to left state employment in July 2017, that position is very close to being filled with another permanent consultant who will be located in the U.P.

MIOSHA appreciates Mr. Perkins noting his numerous positive experiences with MIOSHA enforcement and consultative employees and look forward to working with him in the future. We agree with his statement that the roofing industry is one of the most dangerous occupations and appreciate employers like Mr. Perkins who take proactive measures to protect their employees.

As MIOSHA’s Stop Falls. Save Lives. worker safety emphasis program continues into its second year, a new focus has been added to reduce worker deaths due to falls in the roofing industry. While the overall number of MIOSHA-covered worker fatalities declined last year, along with a decline in fatalities due to falls in general, eight were related to roofing activities, double the four fall-related fatalities of roofers in 2016.

MIOSHA is committed to addressing these fall-related fatalities through increased enforcement, outreach and collaboration with all of Michigan’s employers and employees. MIOSHA has created a fall prevention website at www.michigan.gov/stopfalls which offers valuable resources at no cost. Our Consultation Education and Training division can also be contacted toll-free at 800-866-4674 for free, statewide assistance.

Sincerely,

BARTON G. PICKELMAN, CIH , Director

Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration

Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs

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