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Smoking will be prohibited in all public places and indoor workplaces including restaurants, hotels and bars under the Michigan Smoking Ban. Under the law, the “workplace” is defined as any place that serves food or drink and has at least one employee.

Smoking will still be permitted in vehicles, even those vehicles used for work. It will also be permitted in home offices, according to the Detroit Free Press.

As we previously reported, Michigan is the 38^th state to pass a smoking ban, which becomes effective on May 1, 2010. An exception to the ban will permit smoking on the gambling floor of the Detroit-area casinos, while prohibiting smoking in casino bars, restaurants and hotels.

Hookah bars and cigar bars can continue to operate as long as they do not serve any food or beverages. Smoking is banned on the outdoor patios of restaurants, and in all hotel rooms. Workers on construction sites are permitted to smoke outside, but not inside.

This law is the result of a decade-long effort by Michigan legislators, mostly Democrats, to implement a smoking ban. A recent survey shows that 66% of Michigan voters support some type of smoking ban.

Employers must post appropriate non-smoking signs throughout the workplace, especially at entrances and exits. Ashtrays and other smoking implements are prohibited. If an employee is caught smoking, the employee will be subject to tickets, fines and penalties. The fine is $100 for the first violation and up to $500 for subsequent violation. This also applies to customers, (more…)

On December 10, Michigan became the 38^th state to pass a law that bans smoking in the workplace, including restaurants and bars.

The Michigan smoking ban will go into effect on May 1, 2010. The law prohibits smoking in almost all bars, restaurants and workplaces. Exceptions to the smoking include tobacco specialty stores and cigar bars. Smoking will also be allowed in home offices and motor vehicles – even motor vehicles used for work.

Governor Jennifer Granholm called the bill “a terrific gift to Michigan.”

By implementing the smoking ban, Michigan joins with other states including New York, California and Illinois.

Under the new law, smoking will be permitted on the gambling floor of the Detroit-area casinos, but prohibited in the casino bars, restaurants and hotels. The casino exemption was a compromise between House Democrats and conservatives in the Michigan Senate.

When the bill was signed by the governor, Michigan became the 38th state to ban smoking in public places including government buildings, (more…)

Michigan seems poised to pass a smoking ban that would affect almost all employers, including restaurants and bars, in the next legislative session. Both the state house and senate passed bills protecting employees from second-hand smoke in the workplace in 2008. However, the two bills had significant differences and the legislature was unable to resolve those differences before they adjourned for the summer in late May.

Bills to ban smoking in restaurants and bars were introduced in 2007 in both the Michigan House and Senate. In each case, the bills generated a lot of debate and were sent into the 2008 legislative session.

In the spring of 2008, (more…)

Employers in Michigan will soon have an infusion of highly-skilled workers thanks to more than $5.8 million in worker training grants to 2 community colleges and a city development agency.

The Detroit Workforce Development Department will use a grant of $1,850,000 to train workers in the hospitality and retail industries.

A grant of $2 million goes to the St. Clair County Community College to train workers in transportation, distribution and logistics. The school is located in Port Huron, a small city on the US/Canada border that features the Blue Water Bridge.

An Auburn Hills community college is the third winner. Workers for the nanotechnology industry will train at Oakland Community College under a $1,960,497 grant. The school in southeast Michigan is best known for its participation in the Michigan No Worker Left Behind program of job training for the unemployed.

The President’s Community Based Job Training Grants Initiative awards grants to community colleges and training facilities to help workers compete for jobs in high-growth industries. The program was established in 2005 and awarded grants to 72 institutions. In 2006, the second round awarded 70 grants.

In 2008, according to a recent announcement by the U. S. Department of Labor , 69 community colleges across America were granted $125 million under this program.

These funds will assist workers in 36 states, including Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin.

Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao said, “Community colleges are in a unique position to prepare local workers for careers in high-growth industries. The $125 million awarded today will expand enrollment in education and training programs and provide more workers with the skills they need to succeed.”

The focus of the Community-Based Job Training Grants is to provide community colleges with programs to train people in areas where industries need workers with a particular set of skills. For example, a grant for training in the energy industry may be awarded to a community college in New Mexico near a cluster of nuclear power plants that require more skilled workers.

As a result of factors such as globalization, technology, innovation and an aging workforce, many industries are in dire need of skilled employees. Industries across the county, including advanced manufacturing and construction are seeking skilled employees. Regional industries, too, are in need of qualified workers. For example, Crescent City, California’s hospitality industry needs skilled workers.

In Michigan and throughout the United States, homicide is a major cause of workplace fatalities. The Bureau of Statistics reports that over 200 murders occurred on the job in the early 1990s. In 2006, that number had decreased to 94 murders, but homicides are still a large component of workplace violence.

Workplace violence is defined by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) as ranging from threats to physical abuse and homicide. These attacks can occur on the premises of the workplace, or away from the job. Every year, over 2 million Americans are victims of workplace violence.

Certain occupations are particularly susceptible to violence on the job. Perhaps the most obvious are persons who work in high crime areas and who work alone or in small groups late at night. Less obvious are nurses and other healthcare personnel. Statistics, in fact, show that nurses are assaulted on the job as often as police officers. The majority of incidents occur in the hospital, but some occur when nurses do home visits.

Any employee who deals extensively with the public is at an increased risk of workplace violence. Delivery personnel, probation officers, social workers, postal carriers and utility workers are just a few of the occupations exposed to increased risk.

OSHA provides employers with several ideas on how to prevent violence on the job. One suggestion is to limit access to the workplace by issuing I.D. badges and electronic keys to all workers. Guards can also be placed at strategic positions to limit access.

In addition, alarm systems, video surveillance and plenty of lighting should be installed. Workers can be issued hand-held alarms and cell-phones as well. All businesses should implement antiviolence programs and provide training for workers on how to prevent and how to react to violent incidents.

To assist in training workers, employers can obtain downloads and videos on preventing workplace violence from the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

OSHA Michigan Worker Safety

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recommends several steps to help employers and employees in Michigan–and in all other states–protect themselves against violence in the workplace. These steps can also help prevent threats and acts of violence, which are a major concern for OSHA.

Employers should establish safety programs that include antiviolence procedures. These procedures should include training for employees to understand what constitutes threats of violence and how to report the incidents. Workers should practice these procedures and know how to recognize, avoid and even diffuse potentially violent situations.

Security and maintenance issues can pose a threat to the workplace. A broken lock on a secure door, a stolen I. D. badge, or a broken window can all be threats to security. These problems should be reported immediately–and remedied immediately.

Odd behavior of coworkers can sometimes warn employees of problems to come. Signals of a tendency toward violence can include verbal abuse, threats and minor assaults. Sometimes these situations don’t seem necessarily dangerous, but they should still be reported. Noting a particular worker’s suspicious behavior early can prevent problems later, so all incidents should be reported.

Some simple steps can be taken by employees to help prevent violence in the workplace. Workers who deal with the public, or work out in the community should be careful not to carry a lot of cash, or wear expensive items. Also, employees should never enter a new location or scenario alone, especially at night.

When violence occurs, the victim should receive medical attention. Also, the police need to be informed and the victim advised of his or her right to press charges against the perpetrator. Employers should discuss the incident with all of the staff to help ease concerns and to help prevent future attacks. Counseling and stress debriefing should also be offered to all workers.

OSHA’s General Duty Clause demands that employers provide a safe and healthy workplace, and requires them to keep a record of every violent incident by type. Failure to comply with OSHA regulations will open employers to severe penalties.