MIOSHA, Ford Motor Co., UAW Renew Workplace Safety and Health Partnership

The partnership spanning over two decades has helped further workplace health and safety at Ford facilities across Michigan 

The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) is proud to announce a four-year extension of a cooperative partnership to ensure high quality safety and health practices at Ford Motor Company production facilities in Michigan. 

This marks the seventh agreement of the strategic partnership between MIOSHA, Ford Motor Company and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW). 

"For over two decades, the partnership has proven to have significant and measurable reduction in workplace deaths, injuries and illnesses at Ford facilities," said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. "Few have shown as enduring of a commitment as our partners at Ford Motor Company and the UAW in furthering workplace safety and health. We look forward to many more years of this partnership."  

Launched in 2002, the MIOSHA/Ford Motor/UAW partnership has aimed to reduce significant events, illness and injures at all Ford facilities in Michigan. The partnership is based on a health and safety culture built on mutual respect and trust. 

Pictured (left to right) Ford Corporate Safety Manager Jason Short, UAW-Ford National Joint Committee on Health & Safety Engineer Ryan Kelly, MIOSHA Sr. Occupational Safety Consultant Robert Atkins, MIOSHA CET Director Tarah Kile, Ford VP Americas Manufacturing Bryce Currier, UAW Assistant Director Robb Miller, MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman, Ford North American Safety Manager Tom Paradiso, and UAW Coordinator Lorenzo Robinson during the MIOSHA/Ford/UAW strategic partnership resigning ceremony at Ford World Headquarters.

Workplace Injuries Decline 

The rate of recordable work-related injuries at 11 Ford Motor assembly, engine, forging, stamping, parts distribution centers and transmission sites MIOSHA visited from 2002 to 2022 declined between 41% and 100%, according to Total Recordable Incident Rate data (TCIR), which OSHA defines as a workplace recordable injury or accident as a workplace injury that requires medical attention beyond first aid. 

"Our long-standing collaborative partnership with MIOSHA continues to provide our UAW membership a successful path to our mutual goal of zero injuries and zero fatalities," said Kenn Gafa, international representative, UAW National Joint Committee on Health & Safety. "This common vision ensures responsibility and accountability while fostering a continuous learning and improvement environment."

MIOSHA Day Meetings 

A key component of the partnership agreement revolves around MIOSHA's on-site non-enforcement visits to Ford facilities. 

MIOSHA’s Consultation Education and Training Division will continue to lead partnership activities with enforcement division personnel assisting by participating in MIOSHA Day visits at each of the 21 Ford manufacturing facilities in Michigan. 

MIOSHA cooperative partnerships provide employers and organizations in construction and general industry with the opportunity to work closely with MIOSHA, learn from one another and gain recognition for their voluntary efforts. All employers, regardless of industry, can utilize these tools. 

Visit michigan.gov/mioshapartnerships to learn about all of MIOSHA's partnership programs and programs to help improve workplace health and safety.