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News Release USDL: 97-135
Friday, April 18, 1997
Contact: Susan Hall Fleming, (202) 219-8151
Applications: Helen Beall, (847) 297-4810

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.

Applicants should obtain detailed grant instructions from the OSHA Office of Training and Education, Division of Training and Educational Programs 1555 Times Dr., Des Plaines, Ill. 60018 or via the Internet at http://www.osha.gov/training. Completed applications must be received by the above office no later than 4:30 p.m. Central Time on June 13, 1997. They may NOT be faxed.

Announcement of the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program appears in the April 17 Federal Register.