U.S. Department of Labor opens $12.7 million worker safety training grant program

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DOL worker safety training grant

Highlights

The U.S. Department of Labor launched $12.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants through OSHA to improve worker safety and health education.
Eligible applicants include non-profits, employer associations, labor unions, certain colleges, and OSHA program entities, with applications due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 31, 2026.
The grants target sectors with high injury and fatality rates, supporting both instructor-led training and the development of educational safety materials.

Grant categories and application timeline

As announced by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Susan Harwood Training Grants are being made available through the Occupational Safety and Health Administration to support training and education that help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards.

The funding is intended to improve job quality by backing instructor-led training opportunities, particularly for small businesses operating in sectors with elevated injury, illness and fatality rates. The grants also support education on hazard awareness, avoidance and control, while informing workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities under the Occupational Safety and Health Act.

Applicants can seek funding under two categories, Targeted Topic Training and Training and Educational Materials Development. Eligible applicants include non-profit organizations, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, Indian tribes, public and state colleges and universities, entities that run OSHA On-Site Consultation programs, and OSHA Training Institute Education Centers.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EDT on July 31, 2026. Organizations must register with Grants.gov and the System of Award Management before applying.

Workforce and industry impact

The grant program targets practical safety improvements in workplaces where risks remain high, aiming to strengthen prevention efforts before injuries occur. By focusing on both training delivery and classroom-ready materials, the funding is designed to broaden access to safety education across multiple employer and worker groups.

The grants are named for Dr. Susan Harwood, whose 17 years at OSHA included work on safety guidelines covering benzene, formaldehyde, bloodborne pathogens and lead in construction. She also served as the primary author of OSHA's cotton dust standard, which the department says virtually eliminated byssinosis among textile workers.

Our earlier coverage on U.S. construction spending highlighted how higher borrowing costs and elevated mortgage rates were weighing on homebuilding, even as overall outlays posted only a modest monthly uptick. We noted that residential activity was under pressure while public construction provided some offset, underscoring why workplace risks and training needs remain especially relevant in high-hazard industries like construction.

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