MIOSHA continues to offer support to help employers improve workplace safety. As of late 2024, the MIWISH Grant Program reopened, offering up to $5,000 to small employers (250 or fewer employees) to purchase safety equipment and provide training.
Common uses include installing fall protection systems, upgrading machine guarding, acquiring lockout/tagout equipment, noise monitoring, ergonomic lifts, and other safety enhancements. These grants help reduce injuries in physically demanding or hazardous workplaces.
MIOSHA also provides voluntary, penalty-free consultations. Safety staff can walk through worksites with employers to identify hazards and recommend solutions without issuing citations as long as serious issues are corrected.
Additionally, MIOSHA maintains emphasis programs targeting persistent hazards, such as heat-related illness and outdoor/indoor heat hazard programs, as well as targeted inspections for high-risk sectors like excavation and oil/gas operations.
Even small employers can leverage grants and consultation services to improve safety at little or no net cost. Awareness of current emphasis programs also allows employers to proactively address hazards before inspections occur.