OSHA is soliciting applications for the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, which has $4.7 million available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations, employer associations and labor unions. The grants will fund training for workers and employers to recognize workplace hazards and appropriate control measures and to understand their rights and responsibilities under OSHA's regulations and standards.
"The Department of Labor is committed to ensuring that businesses and workers are fully aware of health and safety rules," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "The programs funded by these grants will supply small businesses, hard-to-reach workers and those in high-hazard industries with the knowledge and tools they need to support safe and healthful workplaces."
Four types of safety and health training grants are available:
- Capacity building pilot grants are intended to assist organizations in assessing their needs and formulating a capacity building plan before moving forward with a full-scale safety and health education program.
- Capacity building developmental grants are for organizations that already provide occupational safety and health training, education and related assistance to their constituents, and are seeking to expand their capacity.
- Targeted topic grants and training and educational material development grants support the development of quality training materials and programs for workers and employers addressing workplace hazards and prevention strategies. Topics, which are designated by OSHA, include safe bin entry in grain handling operations, crane safety, fall protection, hazardous communication for chemical exposure and shipyard safety hazards.
Agencies of state and local governments are not eligible to apply for these grants. However, state and local government-supported institutions of higher education may apply in accordance with 29 Code of Federal Regulations Part 95.
The solicitation for grant applications is available at http://www.grants.gov. Applications must be submitted and received electronically no later than 4:30 p.m. EDT on July 20. More information on the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is available at http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html.