MIOSHA focuses LEP on wholesaler industry

Lansing, MI – Michigan OSHA will conduct targeted inspections in the wholesale, non-durable goods industry this year in an effort to lower the business sector’s higher-than-average injury and illness rate.

The Local Emphasis Program will feature at least 10 “comprehensive” programmed inspections at randomly selected establishments within the industry, according to a March 3 MIOSHA newsletter. Worksites inspected in the past four years will be excluded. The state agency said it will notify selected worksites before their inspection and offer them consultation services.

Common safety issues in the wholesale, non-durable goods industry include lockout/tagout, hazard communication, personal protective equipment, heat stress, noise and ergonomics. The industry’s injury and illness rate in Michigan in 2012 was 6.1 per 100 workers; the state’s overall average rate was 4.1.