Susan Harwood Training Grant Program
Stored: Susan Harwood Training Grant Program
| Type | Program |
|---|---|
| Sponsor Organization | Occupational Safety and Health Administration |
| Top Organization | Department of Labor |
| Creation Legislation | Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 |
| Website | Website |
| Purpose | The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program provides competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to deliver workplace safety and health training to workers and employers in high-risk industries. It aims to reduce occupational hazards by targeting underserved and vulnerable populations with tailored educational programs. |
| Program Start | 1978 |
| Initial Funding | Not publicly specified; part of OSHA budget |
| Duration | Ongoing |
| Historic | No |
Susan Harwood Training Grant Program (SHTGP) is a competitive grant initiative administered by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) within the Department of Labor, designed to fund nonprofit organizations for safety and health training.
The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program provides competitive grants to nonprofit organizations to deliver workplace safety and health training to workers and employers in high-risk industries, aiming to reduce occupational hazards by targeting underserved and vulnerable populations with tailored educational programs.
Notable features include its annual funding cycles, with $12.7 million awarded in FY 2024 to 92 grantees, training over 1.1 million workers since its inception on topics like silica exposure, fall prevention, and infectious disease preparedness.
Goals
- Enhance safety knowledge among workers and employers in high-risk sectors, targeting measurable reductions in injuries and illnesses.
- Reach underserved populations, such as limited-English proficient workers, with accessible training materials.
- Build capacity in nonprofit organizations to sustain safety education, focusing on hazardous industries like construction and manufacturing.
Organization
The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is managed by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), specifically through its Directorate of Training and Education (DTE). OSHA awards grants to nonprofits—labor unions, community colleges, and employer associations—who design and deliver training.
Funding is allocated from OSHA’s annual budget within DOL appropriations, with grants ranging from $75,000 to $180,000 per award in FY 2024. The program’s leader is the Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health, currently Douglas L. Parker as of 2025.
History
The program was established in 1978 under the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970, named in 1980 after Dr. Susan Harwood, an OSHA official who championed worker safety education before her death in 1978. It began as a response to gaps in direct OSHA training capacity, initially funding basic safety courses. Key milestones include its 2000s focus on vulnerable workers and the 2020s expansion to address emerging risks like COVID-19. The program continues with plans to increase funding and target small businesses in future cycles.
Funding
Initial funding began in 1978 within OSHA’s budget, though specific amounts are not publicly detailed from that period. Funding is ongoing, with $12.7 million awarded in FY 2024 from OSHA’s $557.2 million budget, supporting 92 grants with no end date. Additional funding has been authorized annually, with awards adjusted based on congressional appropriations and safety priorities.
Implementation
The program is implemented through annual grant competitions, with recipients delivering training via workshops, online courses, and multilingual materials, starting in 1978. Grantees target specific hazards or industries, such as electrical safety or healthcare, with training tracked via mandatory OSHA reports. It has no fixed end date, operating as a recurring OSHA initiative tied to its safety mission.
Related
External links
- https://www.osha.gov/harwoodgrants
- https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training
- wikipedia:Occupational Safety and Health Administration