September 8, 2021

US Department of Labor awards more than $6.7M
in worker safety, health training grants to 37 recipients
Iowa-based AgriSafe Network grants focus on stopping spread of coronavirus in Iowa

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced the award of more than $6.7 million in grants to 37 nonprofit organizations nationwide to fund education and training programs to help workers and employers recognize infectious diseases, including coronavirus health hazards, and identify preventive measures for a safe workplace. In addition to hazard control, the training will also include understanding worker rights and employer responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970.

AgriSafe Network based in Peosta, Iowa, received a $200,000 grant to provide one hour of coronavirus training to 600 employers and workers in the agricultural industry including limited‐English-speaking workers. Training will include contact tracing to prevent coronavirus transmission and zoonotic diseases in agriculture and the development of English and Spanish language training materials.

The award includes “Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, including the Coronavirus” grants funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The grants derive from the Susan Harwood Workplace Safety and Health Training program, named for in honor of the late Susan Harwood, former director of OSHA's Office of Risk Assessment. In her 17-year OSHA career, she helped develop federal standards to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos, and lead in construction.

The program funds grants to nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, colleges and universities. Target trainees include small-business employers and underserved vulnerable workers in high-hazard industries. These grants are a critical element in supporting OSHA's role in educating workers on their rights and assisting employers with providing safe workplaces.

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 help ensure these conditions for America's workers by setting and enforcing standards and providing training, education, and assistance. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

Learn more about the 2021 Susan Harwood Training Grant Program recipients.

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Media Contact:

Denisha Braxton, 202-693-5061, braxton.denisha.l@dol.gov

Release Number: 21-1623-NAT

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