US Department of Labor's OSHA seeks applications for $4.7 million in Susan Harwood safety and health training grants

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, through which a total of $4.7 million is 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."

There are four types of safety and health training grants available: capacity building pilot; capacity building developmental; targeted topic training; and training and educational materials development.

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. Applicants must register prior to completing the application. They are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible, as it takes multiple days to complete. Applications must be submitted and received electronically no later than 4:30 p.m. EDT on July 20. No extensions of the deadline will be granted.

More information on the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is available on OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/. Questions from the public should be directed to Kimberly Mason at mason.kimberly@dol.gov or Jim Barnes at barnes.jim@dol.gov and telephone 847-759-7700.

Under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, employers are responsible for providing safe and healthful workplaces for their employees. OSHA's role is to ensure these conditions for America's working men and women by setting and enforcing standards, and providing training, education and assistance. For more information, visit http://www.osha.gov.