Susan Harwood Training Grants
The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program is an OSHA program that gives money to nonprofit organizations to train workers and employers on recognizing and preventing workplace hazards, and on their rights. Much of the training is free to the people who attend. It's named for Dr. Susan Harwood, a longtime OSHA health standards official.
- Workers
- Small Employers
- Unions
- Nonprofits & Schools
- Community Groups
What the program does
- OSHA awards grants to eligible organizations, usually each year, depending on federal funding and the budget. Funding levels and priorities change, so check the current notice.
- Grantees train workers and employers in high-hazard industries and on specific topics, and develop training materials. Training is often given in multiple languages and for hard-to-reach groups such as small businesses, low-wage workers, young workers and workers with limited English.
- Typical topics include construction hazards (falls, electrocution, struck-by, caught-between), heat illness, trenching, silica, workplace violence, machine guarding, lockout/tagout and worker rights. See Focus Four Hazards and Worker Rights.
- The classes are awareness and hazard recognition training. They don't replace OSHA-required training your employer must provide, though some may supplement it. See OSHA Training Requirements.
- Grantees report how many workers were trained and what changes resulted, and share the materials.
Who can apply
- Eligible applicants include nonprofit organizations: community and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions and joint labor-management associations, colleges and universities and some other nonprofits.
- Individuals and for-profit businesses can't apply directly, and state and local governments generally can't, with exceptions for public colleges and universities.
- Applicants must show experience in training, access to the target audience, and the ability to manage a federal grant. See the current Notice of Funding Opportunity at grants.gov and OSHA's site.
- OSHA also has restrictions such as requiring that the organization be active and have federal registration (SAM.gov, formerly the System for Award Management) and a unique entity identifier. Rules change, so read the current announcement.
Types of grants
| Type | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Targeted Topic Training | Training workers and employers on specific safety and health topics chosen by OSHA that year |
| Training and Educational Materials Development | Creating new materials (guides, lessons, videos, apps) that others can use |
| Capacity Building (Pilot and Developmental) | Helping organizations build the ability to develop and deliver training, especially new or smaller groups |
The categories and names change from year to year. Check OSHA's Harwood page for the current program.
How to find training and materials
- Search OSHA's Harwood page for current and past grantees and their products, which are posted for free download, many in English, Spanish and other languages.
- Ask your union, trade association or local workers' center if they offer Harwood-funded classes.
- Look for community colleges, safety councils and nonprofit groups that announce free OSHA-funded training in your region.
- Be careful with fake or misleading “grant” training offers. Official classes don't ask for your personal financial information, and any fee should be explained. See Fake Training Cards and ANSI/ASSP Z490 Safety Training Standards.
- A Harwood class may give a certificate of attendance but is not an OSHA 10 or 30 card unless the provider is an authorized Outreach trainer and says so. See OSHA Trainer Courses.
Using the materials
- Small employers can use free lesson plans, handouts and slides for toolbox talks and orientation. See Small Contractors and Toolbox Talks.
- Workers can use them to learn about hazards and rights, and to bring up concerns at work. See Whistleblower Protection.
- Trainers can adapt the content with care, keeping accuracy up to date, and credit the source. Check that the material matches the current standard.
- Combine Harwood materials with OSHA Consultation and alliances for a complete program. See OSHA Consultation and OSHA Alliances & Partnerships.
- Check for accuracy and date on older materials, since regulations change.
Harwood grants checklist
- I know the program funds nonprofits to train workers and employers
- I searched OSHA's Harwood page for free materials in my language and industry
- I understand Harwood classes are not OSHA 10/30 cards unless clearly stated
- My organization checked current eligibility and the funding notice before applying
- I verify materials are current and legitimate before using them
Standards & references
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