OSHA seeks applications for nearly $7 million in new safety and health training grants

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is soliciting applications for nearly $7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations.

OSHA awards funds to provide training and education programs on safety and health topics for workers and their employers. For fiscal 2009, the program offers 24 targeted topic areas including crane safety, combustible dust, emergency preparedness and response, and the OSHA recordkeeping process.

"Training is an integral part of OSHA's mission of assuring worker safety and health," said acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for OSHA Jordan Barab. "The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program welcomes organizations that can serve as extensions of our agency to educate workers and their employers on reducing injuries and illnesses, and saving lives."

Training grants will be awarded for a 24-month performance period. Grant solicitations will be published in the June 10 edition of the Federal Register. Applications are due July 24, 2009.

Applications for grants must be submitted electronically using the government-wide http://www.grants.gov Web site. Applicants can complete the mandatory online registration at any time; however, registration must take place before beginning the application process. Applicants are encouraged to complete registration as soon as possible. Grant applications must be received electronically no later than 4:30 p.m. EDT on July 24, 2009. No extensions of the deadline will be granted.

Questions from the public regarding this announcement should be directed to Cynthia Bencheck at bencheck.cindy@dol.gov or Jim Barnes at barnes.james@dol.gov and telephone 847-297-4810. Further information on the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is available on OSHA's Web site at http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, OSHA's role is to promote safe and healthful working conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards; and providing training, outreach and education. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.