DOL Awards $12.7 Million in Workplace Safety Training Grants
The grants will support workplace safety education and training initiatives for high-risk and underserved workers.
- By Robert Yaniz Jr.
- Sep 27, 2024
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) has allocated $12.7 million to 102 nonprofit organizations to support initiatives aimed at promoting workplace safety and health.
According to a recent release, the funding—derived from the Susan Harwood Training Grants Program and managed by OSHA—aims to educate workers on hazard recognition and control. It also informs both employees and employers of their rights and responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.
The grants are focused on three areas: targeted topic training, the development of training and educational materials, and capacity building. The program aims to reach workers in high-risk industries, especially those who are underserved or face additional challenges, such as language barriers or low literacy.
“The Susan Harwood Training Grants are a critical investment that the Department of Labor makes to help workers know their rights and power, in turn making their workplace safer and healthier,” Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su said in a statement. “This grant honors Dr. Harwood's remarkable legacy of safeguarding workers from workplace hazards throughout her years at the Department of Labor.”
Nonprofits receiving these funds include community groups, labor unions and educational institutions. This year’s grants are expected to enhance safety training for at-risk populations, including small-business employees, minority workers and those with limited English proficiency.
“These grants are our most effective tool for connecting organizations with needed resources to train and educate hard-to-reach workers in high-hazard industries,” said Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas L. Parker. “Training is a key part of ensuring vulnerable workers understand what protections should be in place in their workplace and to know their rights.”
For the full list of grant recipients, visit the DOL website.
About the Author
Robert Yaniz Jr. is the Content Editor of Occupational Health & Safety.