OSHA announces Susan Harwood safety training grants

The program intends to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards. The grants will fund the creation of in-person, hands-on training and educational programs, and the development of materials for small business employees; industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates; and underserved, temporary or non-English proficient workers, according to OSHA. 

Nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based organizations, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor and management associations, Indian tribes, and colleges and universities are eligible and encouraged to apply for the grants, OSHA says.  

“Ensuring that all workers are safe on the job is a top priority for the Labor Department,” says U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez. “The Susan Harwood training grants help equip vulnerable workers and their employers with the information and knowledge they need to identify and prevent injuries. The program continues the proud legacy of its namesake, who did so much to understand and improve worker protections in her 17 years with the department.”

The program honors the late Susan Harwood, former director of OSHA’s Office of Risk Assessment, whose tenure led to the development of worker protection standards for exposure to bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and lead.

This funding opportunity includes two separate grants: Targeted Topic Training and Capacity Building Training.

Targeted Topic Training grants support the development of quality training programs and educational materials that focus on identifying and preventing workplace hazards. These grants require applicants to address the occupational safety and health hazards designated by OSHA.

Capacity Building grants consist of Capacity Building Pilot and Capacity Building Developmental. Pilot grants will assist organizations in assessing their needs and formulating a capacity-building plan before moving forward with a full-scale safety and health education program. Developmental grants focus on improving and expanding the capacity of an organization to provide safety and health training, education and related assistance to target audiences. 

These funding opportunities are available at www.grants.gov, and registration is required. Application must be submitted by June 20. The process takes between three to five business days, but may be as long as four weeks if applicants fail to complete all steps in a timely manner, OSHA says. 

More information on the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is available at www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html or by contacting Donna Robertson by email at harwoodgrants@dol.gov or by phone at 847-759-7700.