OSHA Solicits Applications for Susan Harwood Safety Training Grants

April 18, 2012
It's that time of the year again – OSHA is seeking applications for $1.2 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants. Applicants have until May 17 to apply for funds meant to provide employees and employers with the information and tools they need to foster safe work environments.

"The Department of Labor is committed to ensuring that workers and employers are fully aware of health and safety hazards, and how they can be prevented," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The programs funded by these grants will supply hard-to-reach workers, small businesses and those in high-hazard industries with the knowledge and tools they need to support safe and healthful workplaces."

A total of $1.2 million in training funds is available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations; employer associations; labor unions; joint labor/management associations; and colleges and universities. While agencies of state and local governments are not eligible to apply for these grants, state and local government-supported institutions of higher education may apply in accordance with 29 Code of Federal Regulations Part 95.

Two types of safety and health training grants will be awarded: targeted topic training grants, and training and educational materials development grants.

Both types of grants are for 1 year, and will support the development of quality training materials and programs addressing workplace hazards and prevention strategies for employees and employers. OSHA has designated the following topics: fall protection, grain handling operations, crane safety, workplace violence, hazard communication for chemical exposure, injury and illness prevention programs, and shipyard safety hazards.

Applicants must register and are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible to allow enough time to complete the application. Applications must be received electronically no later than 4 p.m. EDT on May 17. For more information, visit http://www.grants.gov and http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html.

The grants are named in honor of Susan Harwood, a former director of the Office of Risk Assessment in OSHA’s health standards directorate, who died in 1996.

About the Author

Laura Walter

Laura Walter was formerly senior editor of EHS Today. She is a subject matter expert in EHS compliance and government issues and has covered a variety of topics relating to occupational safety and health. Her writing has earned awards from the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE), the Trade Association Business Publications International (TABPI) and APEX Awards for Publication Excellence. Her debut novel, Body of Stars (Dutton) was published in 2021.

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