Mich. Gov. Announces $1 Million for Worker Safety and Health Grants

Governor Jennifer M. Granholm announced the Michigan Department of Consumer & Industry Services (CIS) has awarded 19 Consultation Education and Training (CET) Grants totaling $1 million to promote workplace safety and health.

“Manufacturing matters in Michigan because that is the backbone of our economy. I’m proud to announce this significant investment in Michigan’s future,” said Granholm. “These grants offer employers the tools to protect their workers. And we know that creating a safe and healthy work environment positively impacts a company’s bottom line.”

The CET Grant program is part of the CIS Bureau of Safety and Regulation (BSR), which is responsible for administering the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Act (MIOSHA). The MIOSHA program is dedicated to improving workplace safety and health.

The bureau’s Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division provides direct staff assistance to employers in a variety of formats. The CET Grant program provides additional options for safety and health education and training to employers and employees.

Most of the grants will focus on the performance goals identified in the MIOSHA strategic plan, with a particular emphasis on hazard recognition and prevention for high-hazard manufacturing industries. Other strategic plan areas include: construction safety, ergonomics training, hearing conservation, and training for healthcare and nursing home workers.

“Construction is one of the most hazardous industries in Michigan. Although only about four percent of Michigan’s workforce is employed in construction, 40 percent of work-related fatalities occur in this industry,” said CIS Director David C. Hollister. “A significant number of these grants will provide construction safety training.”

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the deaths of Hispanic workers increased by 53 percent from 1992 to 2000, while the rate for every other group (whites, Native Americans, African Americans and Asians) decreased by as much as 10 percent. Hispanics are the fastest growing ethnic group in the U.S., and often experience the worst working conditions. This year a CET grantee will provide bilingual safety and health training to Spanish-speaking workers.

Other grants include: workplace violence prevention, fleet safety, Rapid Intervention Team training for firefighters, logging safety, safety and health training for new workers, and safe work practices for agricultural workers.

The 19 statewide projects will include a wide range of training activities and proficiency levels. Many of the grants will offer interactive computer-based training modules and may include: text, video, interactive questions, and retention testing.

Eighteen of the projects will focus on training programs, while one research grant will measure, quantify and evaluate protections concerning the noise level exposures of employees in the wood products industries.

CET grants are awarded on a competitive basis to nonprofit organizations, such as management/employer groups, labor/employee organizations, universities, hospitals and service agencies.