OSHA accepting applications for Susan Harwood Training Grants

Washington — OSHA has made available more than $12.7 million as part of its Susan Harwood Training Grant Program.

The grants support training and education that help employers and workers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards. They’re available to nonprofit organizations, “including community, faith-based, grassroots organizations; employer associations; labor unions; joint labor/management associations; Indian tribes; and public/state colleges and universities.”

The grants will support recipients’ efforts to “provide instructor-led remote and in-person hands-on training for workers and employers in small businesses; industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates; and vulnerable workers who are underserved, have limited English proficiency or are temporary workers,” a May 23 press release states.

The grants specifically fund training and education on hazard recognition, control and avoidance, along with training and education on workers’ rights and employers’ responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

Grants will be awarded for:

Targeted Topic Training: Supporting educational programs that identify and prevent workplace hazards. Applicants must conduct training on OSHA-designated workplace safety and health hazards.

Training and Educational Materials Development: Supporting the development of quality classroom-ready training and educational materials that identify and prevent workplace hazards.

Capacity Building: Supporting organizations in developing new training programs to assess needs and plan for full-scale safety and health education programs, expanding their capacity to provide workplace safety and health training, education, and related assistance to workers and employers.

The deadline for applications, submitted at grants.gov, is July 7. Anyone interested in applying for a Harwood grant must register with grants.gov and SAM.gov.