Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is seeking public input on proposed updates to its concrete construction safety standards, with a hearing scheduled for March 4 in Lansing.
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The agency said the proposed revisions to Construction Standard Part 25, Concrete Construction, are intended to strengthen worker protections and modernize requirements to better reflect current construction practices.
MIOSHA, which operates as a State Plan program under federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), began reviewing the standard after receiving requests to evaluate whether existing rules — some of which reference voluntary standards dating back to 1983 — adequately address the hazards associated with modern concrete construction activities. The review process included comparisons with standards adopted in other states and consultations with subject matter experts.
The public meeting, set for 10 a.m. at the Michigan Library and History Center in Lansing, will focus on several proposed revisions aimed at clarifying requirements and addressing evolving jobsite risks.
Among the updates under consideration:
Additional sections of Part 25 have also been updated to align with other MIOSHA construction standards and to reflect current industry practices.
Comments on the proposed changes will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 4.
Concrete construction remains one of the more hazardous segments of the building industry, with risks ranging from struck-by incidents and structural collapses to overexertion and exposure to hazardous materials. Safety officials note that advances in equipment, materials and construction techniques have outpaced some of the regulatory language currently in place.
By updating terminology, strengthening documentation requirements and formalizing task-specific training expectations, MIOSHA aims to reduce ambiguity and improve enforcement consistency across projects statewide.
For contractors, the proposed changes could mean updated training protocols, enhanced inspection documentation and adjustments to shoring, reshoring and rigging procedures. Employers may need to review safety programs and ensure supervisors and competent persons are properly qualified under the revised rules.
As a State Plan state, Michigan has the authority to adopt and enforce occupational safety and health standards that are at least as effective as federal OSHA requirements. Updates to Part 25 could position Michigan among states with more modernized concrete safety frameworks, potentially influencing compliance practices beyond state borders.
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Industry stakeholders, including contractors, trade associations and safety professionals, are expected to weigh in during the hearing process. Their feedback could shape the final language of the rule revisions before formal adoption.
The proposed modernization effort underscores a broader trend among state safety agencies to revisit long-standing construction standards and ensure they address the realities of contemporary jobsite operations, advanced concrete systems and evolving workforce training needs.
With the public comment deadline approaching, MIOSHA officials are encouraging employers, workers and industry representatives to participate in the review process to help refine the final standard.
Originally reported by Safety And Health Magazine.
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