September 28, 2021

US Department of Labor awards more than $11.6M in grants
to educate workers, employers on workplace safety, health
Harwood Grants focus on targeted training, awareness, creation of safety programs

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration today announced the award of more than $11.6 million in grants to 93 nonprofit organizations nationwide to fund education and training on hazard recognition and prevention, and on rights of workers to safe workplaces and the responsibilities of employers to provide them.

Derived from the Susan Harwood Workplace Safety and Health Training program, the grants awarded by OSHA in fiscal year 2021 are in the Targeted Topic Training, Training and Educational Materials Development, and Capacity Building categories. The grants are a critical part of OSHA’s effort to educate workers and assist employers.

OSHA awards these 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.

The grants honor the late Susan Harwood, former director of OSHA’s Office of Risk Assessment. In a 17-year career with the agency, she helped develop federal standards to protect workers from bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and lead in construction.

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. Learn more about OSHA.

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

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Media Contacts:

Denisha Braxton, 202-693-5061, braxton.denisha.l@dol.gov
Amanda McClure, 202-693-4675, mcclure.amanda.c@dol.gov

Release Number: 21-1757-NAT

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