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EHS INSIDER
Summer 2009
Workplace Safety Provides Solid Benefits
Macomb Community College and MIOSHA re-signed an alliance on February 5th to strengthen and grow the MIOSHA Training Institute (MTI). The MTI has quickly become the premiere provider of workplace safety and health training in Michigan.
"Employers with a strong safety and health system experience significantly reduced workplace injuries- which has a tremendous impact on their bottom line," said Doug Kalinowski, MIOSHA Director. "The MTI offers participants the necessary knowledge and hands-on training for safety and health solutions."
MIOSHA's mission is to help assure the safety and health of Michigan's working men and women. Providing workers with a safe workplace is central to their ability to go home healthy and whole every day.
Direct & Indirect Savings
"The training provided through this partnership gives workers and employers the tools they need to create safe, effective workplaces," said Dr. James Jacobs, Macomb Community College President. "The MTI partnership has quickly become the standard for workplace safety and health training."
Addressing safety and health issues in the workplace also saves employers money and adds value to the business. Recent estimates place the business costs associated with occupational injuries from $155 to $232 billion - expenditures that come straight out of company profits.
When workers stay whole and healthy, the direct cost-savings to businesses include:
- Lower workers' compensation insurance costs;
- Reduced medical expenditures;
- Smaller expenditures for return-to-work programs;
- Fewer faulty products;
- Lower costs for job accommodations for injured workers;
- Less money spent on overtime.
Safety and health also make big reductions in indirect costs, due to:
- Increased productivity;
- Higher quality products;
- Increased morale;
- Better labor/management relations;
- Reduced turnover; and
- Better use of human resources.
Real World Safety Solutions
"The 'New Energy Economy' is Michigan's greatest opportunity to create new jobs, attract new investment, and diversify our economy," said Susan R. Corbin, DELEG Deputy Director & Chief of Staff. "Our partnerships with Michigan's community colleges, like this one with Macomb Community College, will play an important role in making Michigan a worldwide leader in the global economy."
Macomb's comprehensive Workforce Development Institute (WDI) administers the alliance. The WDI is focused on maintaining Michigan's competitive edge in the global economy - assisting industry in sustaining a highly skilled workforce and supporting meaningful employment opportunities.
"The Macomb - MIOSHA partnership is paying benefits to Michigan businesses and their employees," said Dr. James O. Sawyer IV, Macomb Community College Vice Provost of Career Programs. "Macomb will continue to seek out and develop partnerships with government, industry, and schools and universities, to open new gateways to opportunity locally and across the state."
The MTI delivers affordable, consistent, participant-driven, and informative seminars based on the most up-to-date industry standards in a hands-on, interactive environment. In FY 2008 the MTI offered more than 80 courses statewide at Macomb College, M-TEC facilities, community colleges, and safety and health organizations. MTI classes are consistent throughout the state, and have the same length, format, resources, activities, objectives and assessment.
The MTI Certification Program offers participants an opportunity to be recognized for their educational efforts and increased technical expertise. The courses offer Continuing Education Credits and Maintenance Points, as well as an opportunity to achieve Level One Safety and Health Certification. There are two tracks, General Industry and Construction.
MTI launched certification classes in October 2007. To date, more than 3,200 individuals have enrolled in the MTI statewide, and more than 90 students have qualified for Level One Certification.
MIOSHA NEWS Vol. 13, No. 2 Spring 2009
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