MIOSHA launches oil spill investigation

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration launched an official review and investigation Tuesday into workplace safety practices for crews working to clean up the oil spill.

MIOSHA representatives met with officials from Enbridge Inc., which owns the broken pipeline. There, government officials explained the nature of the investigation to Enbridge and reps from major subcontractors.

Officials plan to review all personal protection equipment provided to workers, along with training procedures and other work practices to ensure companies are meeting MIOSHA standards.

MIOSHA has been on the scene since the very beginning of the oil spill, Enbridge officials told 24 Hour News 8, and those representatives have addressed concerns the agency has brought up immediately.

Officials with MIOSHA said they launched the investigation as a result of several inquiries, but they have not received any official employee complaints.

Companies can be fined up to $7,000 for serious violations, and as much as $70,000 for what they deem to be willful violations.