$7M for Susan Harwood safety and health training grants now available from US Labor Department's OSHA

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program through two separate and distinct announcements. A total of $7 million is available for nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based organizations, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor/management associations, and colleges and universities.

The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program supports the creation of in-person, hands-on training and educational programs and the development of materials for workers and employers in small businesses; industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates; and workers who are underserved, have limited English proficiency or are temporary workers. The grants will fund training and education for workers and employers to identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards. Two types of safety and health training grants will be awarded: Targeted Topic Training and Capacity Building; approximately $3.5 million will be available in each grant fund.

"These grants play an important role in ensuring worker safety and health. By providing training to employees on their rights and employers on their responsibilities, the Susan Harwood grants are making sure that workplace safety is the number one priority on any job site," said U.S. Secretary of Labor Thomas E. Perez.

Targeted Topic Training grants support the development of quality training materials and programs for addressing workplace hazards and prevention strategies. The Targeted Topic Training grants require applicants to address occupational safety and health topics designated by OSHA. Targeted Topic Training grants may be eligible for one additional follow-on grant, based on satisfactory performance.

Capacity Building grants focus on developing and expanding the capacity of an organization to provide safety and health training, education, and related assistance to target audiences. Grantees are expected to increase occupational safety and health competence and improve organizational capacity to assist workers and employers on an ongoing basis by ensuring that services continue beyond federal financial support. Capacity Building Developmental grant recipients may be eligible for additional 12-month follow-on grants, based on satisfactory performance.

The solicitation for grant applications is available at http://www.grants.gov, where new applicants must register and returning applicants must ensure registration is accurate and up-to-date prior to completing the application. The registration process generally takes between three to five business days, but may be as long as four weeks if all steps are not completed in a timely manner. Therefore, applicants are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible. Applications for Capacity Building grants (SHTG-FY-14-02) must be submitted by Thursday, June 26, 2014, and Targeted Topic grants (SHTG-FY-14-01) must be submitted by Monday, June 30, 2014. All applications must be submitted electronically and are due no later than 11:59 p.m. EDT on each grant's due date. No extensions of the deadline will be granted.

OSHA has developed a proposal webinar to assist prospective applicants in understanding the application process. The webinar will be available at http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html all day, every day during the solicitation period.

More information on the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is available on OSHA's website at http://www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html. Questions from the public should be directed to Heather Wanderski or Jim Barnes by emailing harwoodgrants@dol.gov or calling 847-759-7700. Please note that this is not a toll-free number.

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.