Scrap Tire Program study finds opportunities in new markets
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Business-State Collaboration Supports Safe Workplaces
Business-State Collaboration Supports Safe Workplaces
MIOSHA partners with NSF International to expand Ambassador Program for businesses across Michigan
November 18, 2020
Contact: Camara Lewis, 517-930-4928
Businesses across the state can now schedule free COVID-19 safety consultations as a part of the new Ambassador program partnership with NSF International and the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA). Ambassadors are conducting outreach to statewide businesses to offer education and support to implement regulations on workplace safety.
“Partnering with NSF allows us to do even more for businesses at a time when we know they need the support,” said COVID-19 Workplace Safety Director Sean Egan. “As experts on public health and safety, NSF brings the exact prowess we need during this challenging time. Together, our Ambassadors will help businesses to understand and comply with changing regulations.”
The partnership with NSF International is enabling MIOSHA to drastically expand access to the program immediately. In addition to tier-one education which provides a brief consultation, businesses can now visit the COVID-19 workplace safety website to schedule tier-two consultations, an in-depth assessment of workplace safety requirements, with NSF International. These in-depth, collaborative meetings will connect employers directly with an Ambassador to identify and implement solutions in their specific workplace free of charge to the business. Tier-two visits are targeted to these at-risk industries: retail stores, restaurants and gyms.
Businesses that successfully complete tier-two visits will soon receive official signage to acknowledge COVID-19 workplace safety commitments and efforts to keep customers and employees safe.
As Michigan continues to see a rise in COVID-19 cases, employers must operate in compliance with the current MIOSHA Emergency Rules, MDHHS orders and federal guidelines. Ambassadors will work with business owners and managers to best implement safety directives to help ensure a safe workplace for employees and customers. Ambassadors will utilize the Ambassador Assessment to evaluate required safety precautions and then provide a toolkit of resources for additional ongoing support.
Ambassadors are delivering education toolkits to businesses statewide as part of tier-one efforts for the Ambassador program. The toolkit enables a review of current workplace safety and health procedures to limit the risk of COVID-19 transmission. Ambassadors will not propose citations or issue penalties. They are there to work with businesses to improve conditions and help comply with regulations on workplace safety.
Educational materials in the Ambassador toolkit can be found at Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety, including:
- Sample COVID-19 preparedness and response plan
- Re-opening checklist
- Posters
- MIOSHA guidelines
- Factsheets for employers and employees
“We know employers need support, especially as we see cases rise across the state,” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. “Thanks to the new partnership with NSF International, we’re now equipped to help even more Michigan businesses. Employers can visit our site right now to sign up for a consultation to work directly with one of our Ambassadors.”
Based in Ann Arbor, Mich., NSF International is a global public health organization with a 75-year history of collaboration with businesses, governments and regulatory agencies around the world. The not-for-profit organization protects human health by developing public health and safety standards and providing independent certification and testing services.
“Michigan has been a national leader in providing education and resources to local businesses in response to COVID-19 and we’re proud to support that ongoing effort,” said Paul Medeiros, Managing Director of NSF International’s Consulting and Technical Services group. “We’ve worked with hundreds of businesses and institutions around the world to minimize COVID-19 risks for employees and customers. This program will help Michigan businesses understand regulations and best practices so they can keep their doors open.”
The Ambassador program supports businesses from various industries, including retail stores, restaurants, and gyms where community transmission is heightened.
“We need programs like this to support the business community,” said Scott Ellis, Michigan Licensed Beverage Association Executive Director. “As business owners, all we want is to keep our doors open and to serve our customers. We’re doing everything we can to create safe spaces, but cases are rising, and we need to be diligent to stem the spread. It’s nice to have support to ensure we are all sharing solutions to keep Michigan safe.”
Employers and employees with specific questions regarding workplace safety and health may contact MIOSHA using the hotline at 855-SAFEC19 (855-723-3219).
Businesses can sign up to participate now at Michigan.gov/COVIDWorkplaceSafety.
Workers returning to unemployment should reopen their previous claim
UIA Update: Workers returning to unemployment should reopen their previous claim
November 17, 2020
Contact: Lynda Robinson, 313-348-8220
The Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) today provided guidance to workers and employers who may be affected COVID-19.
Reopening Unemployment Claims
Michiganders who were on unemployment, went back to work, and are now temporarily unemployed again due to COVID-19 can reopen their claim online.
Tips to reopening an existing claim:
- Do not create a new account. Use the same MiLogin and MiWAM username and password used previously.
- Reopen a claim on the first day of unemployment or reduced work hours and wages.
- Have the Employer Account Number (EAN) or Federal Identification Number (FEIN) available. It may be provided by your employer or found on an employee’s W-2.
- Payments will be made using the same payment method previously selected.
- Claimants should read and respond to all requests for information to avoid payment delays.
- When certifying for benefits, be sure to report your gross earnings (amount before taxes and other deductions) in the week in which they were earned, not when you were paid.
- After you have completed your claim, a confirmation page will display the date of your next certification, please take note.
More information on filing or reopening an unemployment claim, including FAQs, tutorial videos and other resources are available at Michigan.gov/UIA.
Increased Capacity
“The UIA has increased capacity, improved workflow, and other internal systems, and reduced red tape to meet the unprecedented level of claims that have been filed since the pandemic began,” said UIA Acting Director Liza Estlund Olson. “These efforts have positioned the agency to better deal with large fluctuations of demand if necessary.”
Working in conjunction with DTMB, server capacity has been increased to ensure any demand spikes related to MiWAM account access can be accommodated. In addition, customer facing staff has more than tripled. Before the pandemic, the UIA had around 650 staff. Currently, over 2,000 UIA team members are helping claimants – this includes answering phones through the call center, making proactive calls, answering questions online, solving technical issues and adjudicating claims.
Employer Filed Claims
Michigan employers are encouraged to file an Employer Filed Claims (EFC) online on behalf of their full-time workers who are temporarily or permanently laid off. This fast, secure way of transferring claims information allows employers to better manage the accuracy of the information provided to the UIA. An EFC replaces the need for an individual worker to reopen their claim. For more information on EFC, visit here.
Work Share
Employers looking to avoid layoffs or bring employees back from unemployment are encouraged to use the state’s Work Share program. The federally funded program has provided $475 million in benefits and helped nearly 2,700 Michigan employers since March 15. The flexible program allows job providers to retain their skilled workforce and avoid layoffs by reducing employee hours while employees collect partial unemployment benefits to make up for the lost wages.
With almost 97,000 employees participating at the peak of enrollment, Michigan’s program has led the nation and far outpaced even the combined totals of larger states like NY, OH and TX. For more information, visit: Michgan.gov/Workshare.
Paying Unemployment Claims
Since March 15, over 2.3M certifying, potentially eligible claimants have applied for state and federal benefits, with over $26B in benefits paid to over 2.2M workers, or roughly 96% of potentially eligible, certifying claimants. There are currently around 71,000 claimants needing ID verification and around 9,000 in the adjudication process which requires a one-on-one review of their claim.
UIA Data, March 15 – November 17, 2020
- $26.1B – Benefits paid
- 2,972K – Total unique claimants (State and Federal)
- 290K – Claimants determined currently ineligible for benefits
- 366K – Claimants who have not certified
- 2,316K – Total unique potentially eligible claims with certification
- 2,236K – Claimants paid at least once
- 96.5% – Percent paid at least once
- 71K – Claimants unpaid due to ID verification
- 9K – Claimants unpaid due to other non-monetary issues
MDOT receives more than $6 million for advanced technology
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 17, 2020 CONTACT: Michael Frezell, MDOT Office of Communications, 517-281-6519, MDOT receives more than $6 million Fast facts: November 17, 2020 — As part of the Federal Transit Administration’s (FTA) Low or No Emission program, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) will receive more than $6 million to distribute to six transit agencies located in both the Upper and Lower peninsulas to replace aging diesel buses with zero-emission battery electric buses. New charging infrastructure to support the new electric vehicles will be designed and installed as well. In collaboration with CALSTART‘s Midwest Office, the project will provide clean transportation in rural and urban communities, supporting the local economy by providing residents transportation while improving public health and quality of life across the state. “Affordable, reliable, and clean transit options should be available to everyone throughout the state,” said Jean Ruestman, MDOT Office of Passenger Transportation administrator. “With the support of this federal investment, we can create a sustainable transportation system of the future for our rural and urban areas alike. CALSTART’s expertise in efficient transportation technologies and program management makes them a great partner to help us implement this multi-year project.” As with any new technology deployment and as the transit agencies transition to battery electric vehicles, technical training for maintenance personnel and responders will be required. This new FTA project includes education courses for maintenance personnel as well as specialized training for fire and medical emergency first responders. “Not only is Michigan a global leader in sustainable transportation manufacturing and innovation but it is nationally respected for bringing clean transit across the entire state,” added Maureen Marshall, CALSTART’s Midwest director and manager of the project. “The transition to zero-emission buses will reduce air and noise pollution in vulnerable communities, as well as support the growth of manufacturing jobs and innovation right here in Michigan.” “Moving toward electrified vehicles is both a public health priority and an economic imperative,” continued Jared Schnader, CALSTART’s national transit program manager. “This work supports new career paths in the booming electrification sector and helps to secure our energy independence through cleaner public transit options. We are so very excited to be partnering with a leader like MDOT for this project.” A leading national clean transportation nonprofit with Midwest regional operations in Troy, Mich., CALSTART will provide project management support for infrastructure planning and energy analyses. This includes route modeling, outreach, acquisition assistance, and standard operating procedure development. |
AG’s Office Responds to Legislative Subpoena
Media Contacts: Ryan Jarvi FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: AG’s Office Responds to Legislative Subpoena in Elections ProbeLANSING – Attorney General Dana Nessel’s office is responding on behalf of the Michigan Bureau of Elections to a wide-ranging legislative subpoena for documents surrounding the election. The Senate and House Oversight committees issued the subpoena Nov. 7, asking the Bureau of Elections to produce documents focused on events leading up to the Nov. 3 general election. The subpoena broadly asks for “all documents and communications” relating to the Bureau’s efforts to inform residents of their right to vote by mail and how they could register to vote. The committees demanded that the documents be provided in only nine calendar days (six business days). The short timeframe given for the Bureau to reply is “unduly burdensome, especially considering the important duties the Bureau is currently performing to ensure that Michigan’s election results are timely and properly certified under state law,” the letter states. Though it has several significant legal objections to the subpoena, the Bureau – in an effort to promote cooperation and transparency – agreed to produce and provided nearly 1,100 pages of documents today and will continue to provide documents on a rolling basis until complete. At the same time, the Bureau continues to support bipartisan boards of canvassers as they review the processes and results of the election, which drew ballots from 5.5 million citizens, more than ever before in Michigan history. “Michigan’s elections have been fair and transparent,” Nessel said. “It is time to set the politics aside and focus on moving our state and country forward together. We hope the Bureau’s response to the Legislature’s subpoena today will help do that.” “The nearly 1,100 pages of documents provided today illustrate our commitment to transparency and cooperation, despite the questionable legality of the legislative committees’ subpoena and the naked partisan agenda behind their action,” said Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. “The documents underscore what millions of Michiganders and thousands of clerks and election workers already know and experienced first-hand: that our elections are secure and the results are an accurate reflection of the will of the people. I hope legislators will now cease their meritless attempt to falsely denigrate our elections simply because they are disappointed by the results, and instead join my office and many local clerks in assuring the public that in this election, every valid vote was counted and every voice was heard.” Under law, a legislative subpoena is only valid if it serves a legislative purpose. The committees failed to clearly describe that purpose in the subpoena, though legislators have stated in a separate letter to Director of Elections Jonathan Brater that their inquiry is in response to “numerous allegations regarding the integrity of the November 3 election.” However, attempting to challenge or invalidate the results of an election cannot be considered a proper legislative purpose of any committee of the House or Senate, the Attorney General’s office notes in its letter, as the Legislature plays no role in the actual administration of an election or the recount and challenge procedures that may apply. Michigan has checks-and-balances in place to ensure the election results are complete and accurate, and processes that allow a person or candidate to challenge those results through court or a lawful recount. Click here to view a copy of the letter from the Attorney General’s office. |