6 Michigan companies fined for ‘serious violations’ of COVID-19 security protocols


Six companies in Michigan have been fined for “serious violations” of coronavirus (COVID-19) safety protocols and potentially a danger to workers, state officials said.

TO READ: Here’s what the companies did to get fine

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration conducted its first round of inspections to ensure workers are protected from the spread of COVID-19. Six companies earned quotes for “general duty” for “maintaining unsafe and healthy practices.”

Here are the six companies that are mentioned:

  • United Shore Financial Services – based in Pontiac
  • UPS distribution facility – based in Livonia
  • Speedway gas station and convenience store – based in Waterford Township
  • Coop Fitness Center Iron Works – based in Saginaw
  • Dan Friday Living Contractor – based in Eaton Rapids
  • Hills Roofing – based in Niles

“We’re first focused on training so employers know what they need to do to reopen safely,” said Michigan COVID-19 Director of Occupational Safety, Sean Egan. “Failure to follow guidelines will put everyone at risk. While these quotes are necessary to prevent potentially serious illness, they are not a reflection of the tremendous collaboration we have seen from employers and their workers across the state. A large majority of companies do their part to keep our economy open by following the right guidance. “

Employers are required to clear a workplace of hazards that could cause injury to workers. The ‘general duty’ quotes carry fines of up to $ 7,000.

TO READ: Michigan Court of Appeals Rules Gov. Whitmer has authority to use pandemic emergency forces

“Field inspections carried out by MIOSHA’s general industry and enforcement departments identified six companies that allegedly committed serious infringements by implementing unnecessary precautionary measures to protect employees from COVID-19,” officials said. “Deficiencies included a lack of health images, face covering, employee training, cleaning measures and general preparation plans.”

The companies have 15 working days to fight the violations and fines. State officials provided suggestions to repair the hazards and protect employees.

Employers must provide evidence that issues have been resolved.

“The MIOSHA investigations determined that these six employers clearly did not take the appropriate steps to protect workers and their communities from the spread of COVID-19,” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. “These quotes are intended to repeat the employer’s duty. Precautions are needed to establish and maintain a work environment where everyone can return safely and healthily.

Click here to view MIOSHAs set online resources for employees and customers. Anyone with questions about guidelines can call 855-SAFE-C19.

You can also get more information about the coronavirus in Michigan en the coronavirus of the CDC.

Read more about the violations and fines here.

United Shore Financial Services

United Shore Financial Services was fined $ 6,300. An inspection was conducted after multiple complaints from employees and reports from the Oakland County Health Department of COVID-19 outbreaks among employees, state officials said.

Employees were allowed to work in a shared office space without wearing face masks, officials said.

They were allowed to work, within six feet of each other, without face mask, according to the state.

Newly hired employees could meet in a large group – in more than 120 people – without wearing face masks while sitting within six feet of each other, state officials said.

Employees said they were not notified within 24 hours after the employer learned that someone with a confirmed case of COVID-19 had visited the office.

UPS distribution facility

UPS was fined $ 7,000 after an inspection was triggered by a complaint.

UPS did not ensure that all sorters and loaders participated in a protocol for daily access to health care, according to authorities.

Delivery drivers and loaders working in the facility could work within six feet of each other if it were possible for them to work more than six feet apart, officials said.

UPS did not require employees to wear face masks when they were within six feet of other people on the work floor, state officials said.

Authorities said there were insufficient cleaning measures in place for delivery vehicles.

UPS had not conducted employee training on COVID-19 that addresses all elements of the preparation and response plan, officials said.

State officials said UPS did not adequately implement its COVID-19 preparation and response plan, including maintaining face coverage, social distance and health screening.

Speed

The Speedway gas station and convenience store in Waterford Township were fined $ 6,300. An inspection was initiated under the MIOSHA State Emphasis Program for services industry.

Officials said Speedway employees could wear face mask under their noses and mouths if at all. Speedway did not monitor the adequate use of face covering or instructed by employees who could not maintain social distance, officials said.

Speedway did not conduct daily screenings for employee health before shifts, according to the state.

The company is accused of failing to keep a record that training was completed for the firm’s COVID-19 preparation and response plan in the workplace.

Officials said Speedway did not train employees in recognizing symptoms of COVID-19.

The company did not make a COVID-19 preparation and response plan available to employees at the workplace, officials said.

Speedway did not appoint an on-site monitor to maintain the firm’s COVID-19 preparation and response plan while the workers worked, according to the state.

Speedway did not provide free face cover for workers, authorities said.

Customers were not told they had to wear face mask inside the building, officials said.

Ironworks of Coop

The fitness center was fined $ 2,100. An inspection was conducted after a referral from the Saginaw County Health Department noted several confirmed COVID-19 cases associated with the facility, which were working inside in violation of the executive order.

The company did not develop a COVID-19 preparation and response plan, officials said.

Coop’s Iron Works does not provide COVID-19 training to employees who practice infection control work, the proper use of personal protective equipment, steps the employee must take to keep the company informed of all symptoms of COVID-19 as a suspected or confirmed diagnosis, according to the state.

Employees were not screened when they arrived at work and they were not required to wear face masks within six feet of each other, officials said.

There were no signs outside the entrance telling people not to enter if they were sick as symptoms of COVID-19, according to authorities.

Officials said Coop’s Iron Works did not configure training stations to allow 10 feet of distance between sessions as possible.

The company did not keep accurate records of participants in the gym, including date and time of visit, name of attendees and contact information to help locate contacts, state officials said.

The steam rooms and saunas were open, authorities said.

Dan Friday

The housing contractor was fined $ 6,400. A scheduled inspection was conducted on a Grand Ledge job site.

Employers were allowed to be within six feet of each other if it was possible to be far apart, officials said.

The company did not require workers to wear face masks if they did not consistently maintain six feet of separation, according to the state.

Authorities said Dan Friday did not develop a COVID-19 preparation and response plan that would have included requirements for social distance and use of face mask.

Employees were not trained on COVID-19, including social distance and the use of face masks, officials said.

Dan Friday also violated other standard safety standards, leading to additional fines that were included in the $ 6,400, according to authorities.

Roofing of hills

Hills Roofing was fined $ 5,300. A regular scheduled inspection was conducted at a Niles job site.

Employers were allowed within six feet of each other if it was possible to be further apart, officials said. They are not required by authorities to wear face masks or maintain social distance.

Hills Roofing did not develop a COVID-19 preparation and response plan, which would have requirements for social distance and use of face masks, officials said.

Officials said employees were not trained on social distance from COVID-19 and the use of face mask.

The employer also violated other workplace safety standards, leading to additional fines that were included in the $ 5,300, authorities said.

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