DOL Announces $12.7 Million in Grants for Workplace Safety Training
The funding aims to enhance workplace safety through targeted education and training programs.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Jul 03, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor has announced the allocation of over $12.7 million in grants to enhance workplace safety nationwide. These funds—provided through OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, aim to support initiatives focused on creating safer working environments and improving job quality.
According to a recent release, these grants will support instructor-led training for workers, supervisors and employers. They will focus particularly on small businesses, industries with high rates of injuries, illnesses and fatalities, and among vulnerable, underserved workers, including those with limited English proficiency or in temporary employment.
The program’s objective is to increase hazard awareness, avoidance and control while educating workers on their rights and employers on their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program will award funds in three main categories:
- Targeted topic training. This category applies to programs that identify and prevent workplace hazards. Applicants are required to conduct training on OSHA-designated workplace safety and health hazards.
- Training and educational materials development. This category focuses on the creation of quality, classroom-ready materials that identify workplace hazards and prevention methods.
- Capacity building. This category is designated for assessing needs and planning to develop comprehensive safety and health education programs, as well as expanding existing training, education and related assistance to workers and employers.
This funding opportunity is a tribute to the legacy of Dr. Susan Harwood, a former director of OSHA’s Office of Risk Assessment. During her 17-year tenure, Dr. Harwood played a pivotal role in developing federal standards protecting workers from various hazards, including asbestos, benzene, bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, formaldehyde and lead.
Eligible applicants for these grants include labor unions, community-based and faith-based organizations, grassroots organizations, employer associations, Native American tribes and organizations, Alaska Native entities, Native Hawaiian organizations and public/state-controlled institutions of higher education. Interested applicants must be registered with grants.gov and SAM.gov and submit their applications by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 26, 2024.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.