Workplace Safety Training Grants Available, July 3

Grant funding will be available starting July 1 to develop innovative workplace safety and health training programs. Oregon OSHA, a division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services, will sponsor projects that may range from a unique mobile app to an online educational game that engages workers.  The grants will focus on programs that target an Oregon industry or a specific work process to reduce or eliminate hazards. Any employer or labor consortium, association, educational institution affiliated with a labor group, or other nonprofit organization may apply. Applicants may apply for up to $40,000 per grant project without a requirement for any matching dollars or in-kind contributions. Grant applications are due Oct. 9, 2014.  Some examples of past grant projects include:  * Development of safe lifting guidelines; * Pictograms for training people on hazards in the workplace with a variety of learning needs or language barriers; * Manuals and videos in Russian, Spanish, and English designed for home builders; * An educational program for prevention of ergonomic-related injuries for nurses.  The grant program was established by the Oregon State Legislative Assembly in 1990, set aside by the Oregon Legislature. Employers cannot use the program to fund training projects for their employees.  Materials produced by grant recipients become the property of Oregon OSHA. They are housed in the Oregon OSHA Resource Center and are available online for use by the public.  Grant application information is available at http://www.orosha.org/subjects/educate.html. Contact Teri Watson at 503-947-7406 or teri.a.watson@state.or.us for more information.