Workplace Injury Lawyer in Michigan: Safety Codes for Construction Workers

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Everyone needs standards, and safety codes for construction help reduce injury in one of America’s most dangerous professions. Construction accident lawyers and workers’ compensation lawyers at our law firm can offer amazing help and support if these safety standards are not met or if a workplace incident results in worker injury.

However, it’s useful to be aware of safety codes the state of Michigan has enacted to protect members of one of its most important professions. Everyone has a right to a safe workplace, free from harassment and personal hazard.

In Michigan, all injured workers are covered by workers’ compensation under Michigan workers’ compensation law. This ensures you receive money while off work and paying medical bills.

The following standards and codes are taken from LARA, the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs.

1. Sanitation

Everyone has a right to a safe and sanitary working environment. LARA’s Rules 128, 129, and 130 dictate that employers in Michigan must provide:

• Drinking water in a container or containers that are nontoxic
• Individual, personal water drinking cups or bottles
• Safe storage of drinking water cups and safe disposal of used cups
• No mixing of non-drinking water with drinking water
• Adequate toilets for construction crew as per state-regulated toilet to worker ratio
• Adequate servicing of toilets to maintain standards of health and cleanliness
• Toilet paper
• Sanitary washing facilities for any and all employees who might come into contact with hazardous materials, chemicals, etc.

The rules and regulations go on, so refer to LARA’s website. Contact construction accident lawyers or a workers’ compensation attorney at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. if you’ve already dealt with injury or illness due to site mismanagement.

2. Fall Protection

LARA code 1926.501 dictates that employers have a duty to provide fall protection for their employees. In general, a height of 6 feet or more requires adequate fall protection. Here are some situations that require such protection:

• Unprotected sides and edges
• Hoist areas
• Holes
• Ramps
• Runways
• Excavations
• Overhead bricklaying or related work
• Roofing
• Residential construction
• Wall openings
• Falling objects

This list is not complete or exhaustive, but it gives you a general idea of how much protection is required by law in Michigan. If it’s required by law and not provided, a workers’ compensation attorney at our law firm can help you know your rights.

3. Fire Protection and Prevention

The state of Michigan requires that employers supply adequate fire protection and prevention equipment and standards. Codes 408.41801 through 408.41884 dictate what kind of protection and strategies are required depending on the situation. The rules are extensive, and there are many standards that employers in Michigan are legally required to follow to ensure maximal employee safety.

4. Safe Walking and Working Areas

Codes 408.42130-408.42159 dictate that employers in Michigan are obligated to provide safe working and walking areas for their employees.

First and foremost, all employees should be trained on what makes an area safe for working or walking. Additionally, there are specific legal requirements for:

• Stairways
• Guardrails on catch platforms and scaffolding
• Runways and ramps
• Temporary stairways
• Etc.

5. Hazard Communication and Personal Protection

Section 11 of the Michigan Health and Safety Act 154 Amendments requires employers in Michigan to clearly communicate workplace hazards to all of their employees who would otherwise be at risk. Employees must supply personal protection equipment and post signs or warnings wherever they’re needed.

All reasonable precautions must be taken, and everyone on the jobsite should know how to manage the risks around them.

6. Handling and Processing Dangerous Chemicals

LARA provides an extensive list of hazardous substances in Code 1926.64 Appendix A. Employers are obligated to provide adequate protection from and handling procedures for all such substances.

Contact us today

If you have been affected by a workplace violation of code, you are entitled to seek legal help. You may also be entitled to workers’ compensation benefits if you were injured on the job.

If you are located in Flint, Grand Rapids, Detroit, or Farmington Hills contact Cohran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. workers’ compensation and personal injury lawyers with any questions you may have, toll-free at 866-MICH-LAW for legal advice and a free consultation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.