Environmental Health and Safety

Current Events

Annual Job-Related Injuries and Illnesses Information Available

MIOSHA is reminding Michigan employers they are required to post the total number of job-related injuries and illnesses that occurred in 2025. The information gathered from these logs greatly benefits employers, workers and MIOSHA in evaluating the safety of a workplace and making the necessary changes to eliminate hazards.  Employers must post the MIOSHA Form 300A in their establishments from Feb. 1 to April 30, 2026.  An electronic copy of the 2025 Summary Log is available for viewing.

A physical copy of the 2025-MIOSHA 300A Summary Log is located in the Campus Support Services (CSS) Building, on the Regulatory Communication Board.

Storm Water Education and Participation Opportunities In the Community

Protect Water Quality All Season Long!

What is a Watershed?

We all live in a watershed - an area of land that drains to a common body of water, such as a lake, river stream (and even groundwater). Understanding the watershed concept is important because it allows to comprehend that we can have an impact on water quality far beyond our own back door.

Learn the Difference

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water that originates during rain events and snow/ice melt and travels over land or through storm drains, catch basins or pipes (called outfalls) and ends up untreated in our rivers, streams and lakes.

What is Wastewater?

Wastewater is water that has been used in the home, in a business, or as part of an industrial process and is treated before it is released back to the environment.

What to do?

• Use your local car wash because washing your car at home sends the road salt, oil and other pollutants to the storm drain which end up in the Rouge River.
• Install a rain garden which traps and filters sediment and pollution and naturally   cleans the water before it reaches the Rouge River.
• Use a broom to sweep fertilizer and grass clippings back onto your yard so it doesn’t wash into the storm drain and the Rouge River.
• Pick up after your pet to prevent the bacteria from washing into drainage ditches and storm drains and straight to the Rouge River.
• Don’t feed the geese because the concentration of droppings adds excess nutrients and harmful bacteria to the Rouge River.
• Plant Michigan native plants to slow runoff and provide added filtration before entering the Rouge River.
• Install a rain barrel to capture rainwater for your garden or disconnect downspouts and direct them into gardens.
• Don’t pour chemicals down storm drains which lead to the Rouge River, instead recycle them at a household hazardous waste collection event.

The Alliance of Rouge Communities, or ARC, is a non-profit organization consisting of local municipalities, counties, educational institutions and stewardship groups working together to improve the Rouge River. The ARC is funded by membership dues from local governments and supported by grants. The ARC and its partners work cooperatively to meet water quality requirements mandated by the state’s stormwater permit and to restore beneficial uses, such as canoeing, fishing and other recreational activities, to the Rouge River.

For more information visit: Alliance of Rouge Communities

Septic System Maintenance Free Workshop

Presented by Alliance of Rouge Communities (ARC).

What you will learn:

• About your septic system
• How your septic system affects water quality
• Proper maintenance of your septic system
• What to know when buying/ selling a house with a septic system

When: June 17, 2026, 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Where: Hawk Community Center, Performance Studio 31555 W. Eleven Mile Rd. Farmington Hills.

RSVP

For more information visit ARC Rouge River Watershed

When it Comes to Illegal Dumping, You are the "Eyes and Ears" in Your Community!

If you see someone dumping anything into the Rouge River, on the side of the road or even down the storm drain on your street, report it to your local community or to Michigan's Pollution Alert System at 800-292-4706. You play a crucial role because local and federal governments do not have the resources to monitor every location at all times. Your vigilance helps ensure that these issues are addressed quickly and effectively, protecting both the environment and public health.

If your answer to any of the below questions is "yes," you should report the location to your local municipality so they can investigate. Take pictures or videos of the pollution, and if it is safe to do so, get the license plate of any vehicle dumping along with the make and model. 

Is it unusual? Does the pollution seem "not the norm" and different from how things are typically disposed of?

Does it smell? Some chemicals, pesticides and fertilizers have a strong odor and may even burn your eyes, mouth, or nose. This is a sign of illegal dumping that should be reported.

Does it look bad? Do you see an odd-colored discharge or sheen from a pipe going into the river or do you see dead fish or animals in the vicinity of pollution? Is there dead grass or plants around the pollution? You may also see a pipe discharging foam or solids. These are all signs that should be reported to your local community for further investigation.

Does it seem secretive? Most people that dump things illegally know what they are doing and attempt to be secretive in their actions. You may hear or see a truck pouring something into a sewer, river or on the side of the road late at night. Have you seen someone dumping barrels, cans, or bags at a site where it should not go like an alley, river or empty lot and then driving away? Report these activities to your local community for follow-up.

To learn more about illegal dumpling and other ways you can help protect water quality in the Rouge River watershed, visit the Alliance of Rouge Communities website.

Occupational Health and Safety Information and Learning Opportunities

Coffee with MIOSHA: Your chance to connect and strengthen workplace safety!

MIOSHA and the Lakeland Care Network, in collaboration with Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals invite employers and employees to join us for an informal networking event focused on workplace safety and health. 

Coffee with MIOSHA events are designed for safety professionals, offering a unique opportunity to:

• Network with MIOSHA administrative, enforcement and consultative staff.
• Ask questions and discuss workplace safety challenges.
• Learn about MIOSHA’s programs and services to enhance safety and health.

Event details

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2026 (rescheduled from Jan. 21)

Time: 8–10:30 a.m.
 

Agenda:

8-8:30 a.m.     Coffee, light breakfast and networking 
8:30 a.m.        Presentation
10:30 a.m.      Additional networking; Q&A with MIOSHA staff

Location

Corewell Health Lakeland Hospital
Frederick S. Upton Education Center
1234 Napier Ave.
St. Joseph, MI 49085

Register

Please RSVP by Friday, March 20. 

Fire and Life Safety Information and Learning Opportunities

Grilling Safety

There’s nothing like outdoor grilling. It’s one of the most popular ways to cook food. But, a grill placed too close to anything that can burn is a fire hazard. They can be very hot, causing burn injuries. Follow these simple tips and you will be on the way to safe grilling.

Safety Tips

• Propane and charcoal BBQ grills should only be used outdoors.
• The grill should be placed well away from the home, deck railings and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
• Keep children and pets at least three feet away from the grill area.
• Keep your grill clean by removing grease or fat buildup from the grills and in trays below the grill.
• Never leave your grill unattended.
• Always make sure your gas grill lid is open before lighting it.

Charcoal Grills

• There are several ways to get the charcoal ready to use. Charcoal chimney starters allow you to start the charcoal using newspaper as a fuel.
• If you use a starter fluid, use only charcoal starter fluid. Never add charcoal fluid or any other flammable liquids to the fire.
• Keep charcoal fluid out of the reach of children and away from heat sources.
• There are also electric charcoal starters, which do not use fire. Be sure to use an extension cord for outdoor use.
• When you are finished grilling, let the coals completely cool before disposing in a metal container.

Propane Grills

Check the gas tank hose for leaks before using it for the first time each year. Apply a light soap and water solution to the hose. A propane leak will release bubbles. If your grill has a gas leak, by smell or the soapy bubble test, and there is no flame, turn off both the gas tank and the grill. If the leak stops, get the grill serviced by a professional before using it again. If the leak does not stop, call the fire department. If you smell gas while cooking, immediately get away from the grill and call the fire department. Do not move the grill.

If the flame goes out, turn the grill and gas off and wait at least 5 minutes before re-lighting it.

Facts

• July is the peak month for grill fires.
• Roughly half of the injuries involving grills are thermal burns.