News Release USDL: 97-444
Wednesday, December 10, 1997
Contact: Bill Wright (202)219-8151

Susan Harwood Grants Named for Long-Time OSHA Employee

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) today awarded $816,000 in grants to six nonprofit organizations to conduct training in occupational safety and health issues in scaffolding and workplace violence. More than 6,000 workers, managers and employers nationwide will be trained under the program.

"One of my highest priorities is to ensure safe and healthful workplaces," said Secretary of Labor Alexis M. Herman. "These grants will go a long way toward ensuring that reality while, at the same time, promoting greater understanding among employers and workers of ways to avoid serious occupational risks."

The six groups chosen to receive the grants were among the 203 organizations that applied for the national competition announced Apr. 17, 1997, in the Federal Register. This latest competition, open to all nonprofit organizations (excluding state and local governments), ended June 13.

"These grants will help to reduce injuries, illnesses and fatalities in two very high-priority areas -- scaffolding and workplace violence," said Charles N. Jeffress, OSHA's assistant secretary. "It's imperative that we use every means available to protect our workers. The grant program enables workers and employers to join together to do that."

The grants are named for Susan Harwood, who was a key member of the agency's staff for 17 years before her death last year. She helped develop a number of major OSHA health standards; the grant program commemorates her service to occupational safety and health.

The recipients and the subjects they will cover, along with the amount of the grants and the number of workers and/or employers to be trained, follow:

SCAFFOLDING

International Masonry Institute, Washington, D.C., $178,000
The organization will conduct a train-the-trainer course on scaffold safety. The trainers will then conduct training for apprentice and journey worker scaffold users. About 2,075 will be trained nationwide.

Laborers-AGC Education and Training Fund, Pomfret Center, CT, $183,000
The grantee will conduct the train-the-trainer course for scaffold users. They will also train scaffold users in OSHA requirements. Finally, the organization will develop and distribute training materials, including a CD-ROM interactive training program. About 1,230 will be trained nationwide.

National Ironworkers and Employers Apprenticeship Training and Journeymen Upgrading Fund, Washington, D.C., $96,000
The grantee will develop a training program, and train trainers who will, in turn, train local ironworkers. The training will also include hands-on exercises in scaffold use. Approximately 260 will be trained nationwide.

United Brotherhood of Carpenters Health and Safety Fund of North America, Washington, D.C., $185,000
The union will conduct train-the-trainer courses for trainers from the Carpenters Union and other building trades unions. New trainers will be provided with training materials and will conduct scaffold user training for other construction trades workers. Nationwide, about 1,150 will be trained.

WORKPLACE VIOLENCE

Regents of the University of California, Berkeley, CA, $120,000
The University will conduct train-the-trainer courses about workplace violence prevention for employers and unions. The courses will target drivers, retail workers, health care and mental health workers, social service workers and school employees. About 1,600 will be trained in Northern California.

United Food and Commercial Workers International Union, Washington, D.C., $54,000
The union will train local union leaders and staff representing retail workers as trainers. These trainers will then provide training to members of their locals regarding prevention of workplace violence. About 230 nationwide will be trained.

Earlier awards announced in September included grants for ergonomics and assisting small businesses with safety and health programs. A total of $2,043,000 was awarded to 18 organizations. Additionally, three logging grants, totaling $308,000, were renewed for another year.