Michigan: Nonprofits receive $870,000 in MIOSHA training grants for worker safety and health

RELEASE DATE: Monday, Dec. 2, 2019
CONTACT: Camara Lewis, 517-930-4928

LANSING, Mich.– To support worker safety and health across the state, Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) announced the award of $870,000 in training grants to 20 nonprofit organizations.

The Consultation Education and Training grants are awarded annually for the development and implementation of safety and health training and services, specifically to help support small and medium-sized business.

"Bold solutions are needed to ensure Michigan's working men and women are safe on the job as they build and strengthen our communities," Gov. Whitmer said. "I am committed to protecting Michigan workers, improving workplace safety and health is a wise investment that benefits business and ensures workers return home."

The training grants have a strong track record of increasing safety awareness in the workplace and continues to further MIOSHA's commitment to enhancing safety and health training and work practices that result in fewer injuries, illnesses and fatalities on worksites.

During the FY 2019 grant period, more than 20,000 employees attended training sessions funded by these MIOSHA training grants.

"MIOSHA is pleased to award these grants to employer groups, labor organizations and other nonprofits that have demonstrated innovation in their safety and health training programs," said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. "These grants are instrumental in broadening MIOSHA safety and health activities to keep Michigan workers unharmed."

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The MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training Grant Program provides additional options for safety and health education and training to employers and employees. Majority of the grants are geared towards the performance goals and initiatives identified in the MIOSHA Strategic Plan, with a particular emphasis on prevention for high hazard industries.

"Our partnership with Consultation Education and Training has increased MIOSHA's safety training reach to teens before they enter the workforce," said Parents for Student Safety Employment Standards (PASSES) President Donna Weaver. "Young workers statistically are the most vulnerable to workplace accidents and MIOSHA's commitment to their safety is making a difference."

The Consultation Education and Training Grant Program is designed to:

Increase the number of employers and employees receiving occupational safety and health education, training and prevention services, especially employers with less than 100 employees. Encourage the development of new strategies for providing occupational safety and health education, training and prevention services. Encourage new providers of occupational safety and health education, training and prevention services for Michigan businesses. Evaluate the effectiveness of those alternative strategies and providers.

PASSES, will receive $75,000, the second largest grant award, to provide focused student training in construction trades, industrial arts classes and their co-op program which will include topics such as heat exhaustion, hazard recognition and fall protection. Trainings are held at high schools throughout Michigan.

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Other awarded projects include a wide range of training activities and proficiency levels, including safety and health training in healthcare, manufacturing and construction, workplace violence prevention, safe chemical handling and personal protective equipment. There's also a new Find and Fix program to help workers in the heavy construction industry learn to find and fix jobsite hazards before they cause injury, illness or fatality.

Grant recipients are required to demonstrate how their efforts will meet specific objectives and must file quarterly activity and financial reports with MIOSHA who will monitor the grant programs and observe on-site operations.

View the full list of the FY 2020 CET grant projects and descriptions.

AFL-CIO of Michigan Alpena Community College Associated General Contractors of Michigan Baker College Bay de Noc Community College Center for Workplace Violence Prevention, Inc. Eastern Michigan University Organization for Risk Reduction Emergency Services Rescue Training Great Lakes Safety Training Center Incompass Michigan Michigan Association of Chiropractors Michigan Green Industry Association Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association Michigan State University North Central Michigan College Parents for Student Safety Employment Standards Retail, Wholesale and Department Store Union United Auto Workers University of Michigan Center for Ergonomics Wayne State University

For more information about MIOSHA, visit www.michigan.gov/miosha.

Filed Under: Government, State

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