Michigan lawmakers preparing for next health emergency for workers

Michigan lawmakers are aiming to create an infectious disease worker safety commission to manage guidance for essential workers in emergencies.

H.B. 4440, introduced Wednesday, would call on the director of the Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity to appoint the members of the commission, to include labor union officials in health care, law enforcement, food delivery, and both public and private sector management. The commission would also need three individuals who work in health care and specialize in epidemiology or contagious diseases and two individuals who work in health care and specialize in occupational safety and health.

The commission would be charged with determining the best practices for employees during an emergency declared because of an infectious disease, including, but not limited to appropriate personal protective equipment for use by employees; the number and placement of handwashing and hand sanitizing stations; distancing requirements between employees and between employees and the public; and any process or protocol that the commission believes is needed to protect the safety of employees and the public.