The U.S. Department of Labor has awarded $12.7 million to 102 nonprofits across the nation to support education and training initiatives aimed at enhancing workplace safety. The funds, administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), are part of the Susan Harwood Training Grants Program.
These grants will facilitate training on hazard awareness, avoidance, controls, and inform workers about their rights and employers about their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act. The funding was allocated to programs in three categories: targeted topic training, training and educational materials development, and capacity building.
“The Susan Harwood Training Grants are a critical investment that the Department of Labor makes to help workers know their rights and power – in turn making their workplace safer and healthier,” said Acting Secretary of Labor Julie Su. “This grant honors Dr. Harwood's remarkable legacy of safeguarding workers from workplace hazards throughout her years at the Department of Labor. I’m eager to witness the impact these organizations will achieve in her name.”
Dr. Susan Harwood served as director of OSHA’s Office of Risk Assessment for 17 years, during which she played a pivotal role in developing federal standards protecting against various workplace hazards such as asbestos, benzene, bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, formaldehyde, and lead.
“These grants are our most effective tool for connecting organizations with needed resources to train and educate hard-to-reach workers in high-hazard industries,” stated Assistant Secretary for Occupational Safety and Health Douglas L. Parker. “Training is a key part of ensuring vulnerable workers understand what protections should be in place in their workplace and to know their rights.”
Grants were awarded to nonprofit organizations including community groups, faith-based entities, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, Native American tribes, as well as local and state-sponsored colleges and universities. The target audience includes small-business employers; limited English proficiency workers; illiterate/low literacy individuals; disadvantaged or underserved communities; low-income groups; minorities; among others.
The 2024 Susan Harwood Training Grant awards recipients span across various states:
**Targeted Topic Training Recipients**
- South Arkansas College (El Dorado, AR) - $104,054
- Arizona State University (Tempe, AZ) - $160,000
- National Day Laborer Organizing Network (Pasadena, CA) - $160,000
- Community Services & Employment Training Inc. (Visalia CA) - $160000
- Construction Education Foundation of Colorado (Denver CO) - $159860
- Colorado State University (Fort Collins CO) - $145893
(Additional recipients listed similarly)
**Training and Educational Materials Development Recipients**
- BPSOS Center for Community Advancement Inc. (Westminster CA) - $75k
- University Enterprises Inc Sacramento University (Sacramento CA) - $75k
(Additional recipients listed similarly)
**Capacity Building Developmental And Pilots Recipients**
- Central Council Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes Of Alaska (Juneau AK) - $91415
- Marin Builders Association (San Rafael CA) - $100k
(Additional recipients listed similarly)
**Capacity Building Follow-On Recipients**
- Shasta Builders Exchange Inc (Redding CA) - $103890
- The Sustainable Workplace Alliance Inc. (Eagle Lake FL) - $135270
(Additional recipients listed similarly)
The awarded funds aim to provide essential training to at-risk and marginalized workers nationwide.
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