OSHA is soliciting applications under the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program to fund training for workers and employers in recognizing workplace hazards and control measures, and understanding their rights and responsibilities. A total of $1.2 million is available to nonprofit, community and faith-based organizations; employer associations; labor unions; joint labor/management associations; and colleges and universities.

Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis said the programs funded by these grants will be for hard-to-reach workers, small businesses and those in high-hazard industries.

Two types of safety and health training grants will be awarded through this announcement: targeted topic training grants, and training and educational materials development grants.

Both types of grants are for one year, and support the development of quality training materials and programs addressing workplace hazards and prevention strategies for employees and employers. OSHA has designated the following topics: fall protection, grain handling operations, crane safety, workplace violence, hazard communication for chemical exposure, injury and illness prevention programs, and shipyard safety hazards.

Agencies of state and local governments are not eligible to apply for these grants. However, state and local government-supported institutions of higher education may apply.

Grant application information is available at www.grants.gov. Applicants must register prior to completing the application. They are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible, as it takes multiple days to complete. Applications must be submitted and received electronically no later than 4 p.m. EDT on May 17, 2012. No extensions of the deadline will be granted.

More information on the program can be found at: www.osha.gov/dte/sharwood/index.html.