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Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
For more information call: (202) 219-8151
Small businesses, new safety and health standards and hazardous
workplace activities will be emphasized in $1.9 million occupational safety and
health training grants, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration
(OSHA) announced today.
Open to nonprofit organizations, the grants are intended to foster
workplace safety and health training in four key areas: 1) establishment of
safety and health programs for small businesses (fewer than 250 employees), 2)
ergonomics, 3) scaffolding, and 4) workplace violence prevention in high-risk
retail stores. Applications are due June 13, 1997.
"Through these grants, particularly using the train-the-trainer
approach, we hope to expand available occupational safety and health training
programs and materials and increase the agency's impact on reducing workplace
injuries, illnesses and deaths," said Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor
Gregory R. Watchman. "Training provides critical information for conscientious
employers and workers who want to do the right thing and just need help
determining how to proceed."
Formerly known as the Targeted Training Grant Program, the Susan Harwood
Training Grant Program has been renamed in honor of Susan Harwood, who served
17 years with the agency before her death in 1996. Harwood, who held a Ph.D. in
microbiology and immunology, helped develop OSHA standards on bloodborne
pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and lead in
construction. As director of the Office of Risk Assessment in OSHA's health
standards directorate, she was working on a proposed standard on tuberculosis
when she died. The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program commemorates her
exceptional service to occupational safety and health.
Awards under the training grant program will average $100,000. OSHA may
consider geographical distribution and coverage of populations at risk in
determining its grant selections. Grants will be awarded for a twelve-month
period and may be renewed for an additional year, depending on the availability
of funds, the continuing need for the training and satisfactory performance by
the grantee.
Susan Harwood Training Grant recipients must contribute at least 20
percent in matching funds. This match may be in-kind, rather than in cash. All
applicants must certify that they have a drug-free workplace and comply with
restrictions on lobbying.
Only nonprofit organizations which are not agencies of state or local
governments are eligible to apply. However, institutions of higher education
supported by state or local governments are eligible to apply. Applicants other
than institutions of higher education must submit evidence of nonprofit status,
preferably from the Internal Revenue Service. A consortium must have a written
agreement spelling out roles and responsibilities for members and designate one
member as the lead agency to receive the grant and be responsible for grant
administration.
In selecting grantees, OSHA will give preference to proposals that offer
train-the-trainer approaches. All grant programs will be encouraged to include
managers and/or supervisors and small businesses in their training.
Under the training grant program, OSHA reviews all educational materials
for technical accuracy during development and before final publication. Grant
recipients are expected to share educational materials they develop with others
in the relevant industry. In addition, grantees must provide copies of
completed educational materials to OSHA before the end of the grant period.
Archived News Release--Caution:
information may be out of date.
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