With 21 workplace fatalities reported to the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) so far in 2026, MIOSHA is urging employers and workers to take proactive steps to identify hazards, communicate safety concerns and stop work when conditions become unsafe.
The urgency is underscored by three recent trench collapses in Michigan within a two-day period, including one that resulted in a worker’s death on July 1. The incidents highlight the importance of reassessing hazards as conditions change and using available safety resources to prevent serious injuries and fatalities.
“Every workplace death is a tragedy, and recent incidents are a reminder that conditions can change quickly,” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. “Employers must make hazard recognition part of every job, provide workers with the training and protections they need and create a culture where employees are empowered to speak up and stop work when something is unsafe.”
Workplace hazards can emerge or intensify as weather, equipment, materials, traffic patterns, staffing and job tasks change. MIOSHA encourages employers to:
- Assess hazards before work begins and reassess them as conditions change.
- Provide task-specific training and ensure workers understand how to identify and report hazards.
- Maintain clear communication among workers, supervisors and contractors.
- Stop work when required protections are not in place or conditions become unsafe.
Workers have the right to raise workplace safety and health concerns without retaliation. They should report unsafe conditions to a supervisor or employee representative and may file a complaint with MIOSHA if the hazard is not addressed. Workers may request that their identity not be disclosed to their employer.
Employers do not have to wait for an inspection or incident to seek assistance. MIOSHA’s Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division provides free, confidential on-site consultation services to help employers identify hazards and strengthen workplace safety and health programs.
MIOSHA also offers education and training, MIOSHA Training Institute courses and opportunities to participate in workplace safety and health partnerships and alliances. These proactive resources can help employers prevent injuries and fatalities before they occur.
MIOSHA’s Stay Alert For Everyone (SAFE) initiative also reinforces the importance of recognizing changing conditions, maintaining situational awareness and speaking up before an incident occurs.
Release courtesy of MIOSHA.
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