OSHA makes $10.5 million in training grants available

Nonprofit organizations will have the opportunity to apply for $10.5 million in grants from the Susan Harwood Training Grants program this year after all, the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration said Friday.

When the OSHA fiscal year 2019 budget was released in March, the funding level for the Susan Harwood program was ambiguous. President Donald Trump’s initial proposed 2019 budget, released in spring of 2018, called the Susan Harwood program “unnecessary and unproven.”

The grant program, which falls under the OSHA budget, has been in place since 1978 and supports hand-on training for workers and small business employers in industries with high injury, illness and fatality rates or in populations with workers who are vulnerable, underserved and have limited English proficiency, OSHA said in a statement. The grants are intended to fund education and training to help improve workplace safety and reduce hazards.

A spokesperson with OSHA confirmed that the source for the year’s grant program is being drawn from FY 2019 funds.

Applicants can apply for grants in one of three areas: targeted topic training, training and educational materials development and capacity building. Applications are due July 2.