Apply Now: Safety Training Grants from DOL Available

The U.S. Department of Labor's (DOL) Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) recently opened its 2015 application process for grants that focus on identifying and preventing workplace hazards in nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based organizations, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, tribal organizations, and colleges and universities.

The Susan Harwood Grants, named after the late and former OSHA director, with a total of $3.5 million available, fund two types of grants, targeted topic training or capacity building. The grants support the following:

• the creation of in-person, hands-on training
• educational programs
• the development of materials for small businesses
• industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates
• vulnerable and underserved workers, including those with limited English proficiency and temporary workers
   

Several types of grants are available. To receive targeted topic funding, applicants are required to address the occupational safety and health hazards designated in the grant. Additionally, capacity-building pilot grants help organizations assess their needs before launching a safety and health education program. Capacity-building developmental grants focus on improving and expanding an organization's capacity to provide safety and health training. Follow up grants are available for both, based on satisfactory performance.

“These grants provide such a valuable service to American workers because they're providing essential training to the vulnerable workers in small businesses and high-risk industries that need it most,” says U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez, on the DOL website. “Susan Harwood program grants fund great programs with a truly noble goal, which is to make sure that every worker gets home safe and healthy at the end of the day.”

The electronic deadline for these grants is June 2, 2015. For more information, click here.