Good Afternoon,
Earlier this afternoon, the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) released updates to its COVID emergency workplace rules. These changes reflect changes to the CDC and state’s masking guidelines announced earlier this month.
As your employer, we are governed by MIOSHA’s rules and have been following them closely throughout the pandemic. Based on the updated rules, WCRC’s Preparedness and Response Plan will be updated with the following rules, effective immediately:
Masks – When in doubt, wear a mask.
- Outdoors – Face masks are no longer required if you are working outside regardless of your ability to remain socially distanced from others or your vaccination status.
- Indoors – Regardless of vaccination status, masks and social distancing are still required inside a WCRC facility, including garages, restrooms and hallways, and whenever an employee leaves their assigned workspace (office, cubical, vehicle, mechanics’ bay). This rule also applies to authorized visitors working inside a WCRC facility.
- In vehicles and equipment – Regardless of vaccination status, if you need to share a WCRC vehicle with a co-worker, masks are still required for all occupants.
- In public places during working hours – Regardless of vaccination status, employees are required to follow each establishment’s posted masking rules when entering a public place (ex. gas station, convenience store) while on duty.
Social Distancing and Gatherings
- Regardless of vaccination status, employees should still maintain 6 feet of social distancing to the maximum extent feasible.
- In-person meetings and employee gatherings are no longer discouraged. If the meeting/gathering takes place indoors, masks and social distancing are required for all employees present.
- WCRC conference rooms will be available for reservation starting Tuesday, June 1. We will send a reminder on how to make reservations later this week.
- The occupancy limits will be removed from other shared spaces like the lunchroom and breakrooms. Masking (when not eating) and social distancing are still required in these spaces.
Daily Screening Questions
These are still required for all employees reporting in-person.
Next Steps
I will send a link to the updated Preparedness and Response Plans and Face Mask Protocol later this week.
Based on what we are hearing from the state, we expect all COVID-related requirements to expire on July 1, 2021 at midnight. As with everything during this pandemic, this date is tentative, and I will keep you updated on any developments as we approach July 1.
I see all of these changes as good news! While we are not quite done, there is certainly light at the end of the tunnel. Please hang in there for the next few weeks and continue to practice social distancing, hand washing and wear your mask when required. We are almost there!
Please let me or Nicole know if you have any questions.
Sheryl
