The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) and the Metalworking Industries of Michigan Workers’ Compensation Fund (MIM W.C. Fund) signed a formal alliance to protect the safety and health of Michigan’s metalworking industry workers. The MIOSHA program is part of the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth (DLEG). 

Those who participated in the alliance acceptance process were Mark Sledzinski, Fund Administrator, MIM W.C. Fund and Doug Kalinowski, Director, MIOSHA Program; as well as the Fund Board of Trustees, which is composed of active MIM W.C. Fund members.

"Keeping Michigan metalworking industry workers safe and healthy on the job is the focus of this alliance," said Kalinowski. "This proactive partnership between labor, industry and government, can save lives by ensuring that worker safety and health plays an integral role in Fund member's workplaces."

Alliances provide the opportunity for organizations committed to workplace safety and health to interact with MIOSHA to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses. Alliances are open to all groups, including: trade or professional associations, businesses, labor organizations, educational institutions, and government agencies.

"The members and trustees of the Metalworking Industries of Michigan Workers' Compensation Fund remain fully committed to the principles of workplace safety and this alliance supports that philosophy," said Sledzinski. "The MIM W.C. Fund has been an industry leader in maintaining a focus on education and training. This knowledge and commitment to safety has enabled our membership to grow and evolve into top tier providers of metalworking services in Michigan."

The goals of this alliance include, but are not limited to: 

• Promoting and improving shop safety by providing safety awareness and other outreach activities across the state; 
• Providing training and education activities and encouraging member participation; 
• Sponsoring seminars with the Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division on power press safety, safety and health management systems, and lockout/tagout; and 
• Including articles in regular membership mailings on the alliance, the seminars, and other safety issues.

Rising workers' compensation premiums in the late 1970s inspired a group of individuals in the metalworking trades to band together and form the Metalworking Industries of Michigan Self-Funded Workers' Compensation Program (MIM W.C. Fund) as an alternative to purchasing traditional insurance.

The Fund feels that a strong safety education and claims management commitment at the corporate level equates to low claims exposure for the entire group. This allows them the opportunity to potentially make larger returns of surplus premiums.

There are many benefits to participating in an alliance with MIOSHA. Through this program, organizations will: 

• Build trusting, cooperative relationships. 
• Network with others committed to workplace safety and health. 
• Exchange information about best practices.
• Leverage resources to maximize worker safety and health protection.

For more information about forming alliance and partnerships with MIOSHA, please visit www.michigan.gov/miosha

SOURCE Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth