OSHA awards millions in grants for training and education programs on infectious diseases

Washington — OSHA has awarded more than $6.7 million in training and education grants to 37 nonprofit organizations, the agency has announced.

The grants will fund programs aimed at helping employers and workers recognize hazards associated with infectious diseases, including COVID-19, and identify preventive measures.

The grants for workplace training on infectious diseases are funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. All derive from the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, according to a Sept. 8 press release. Harwood was a former director of the Office of Risk Assessment at OSHA. In her 17 years at the agency, she played a role in the development of standards on bloodborne pathogens, cotton dust, benzene, formaldehyde, asbestos and lead in construction.

The Harwood program funds grants to nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, and colleges and universities. The training developed with the grants often is geared toward small businesses and underserved/vulnerable workers in high-hazard industries.