Small business workers and employers will be trained to identify and correct hazards on job sites through an $880,000 grant awarded to West Virginia University’s Safety and Health Extension from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration.

The Susan Harwood Safety and Health Capacity Building training grant will help train workers in construction, logging, manufacturing, landscaping and oil and gas industries. WVU Safety and Health Extension will provide the training and assistance in OSHA Region III, which includes West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Virginia and Washington, D.C.

“Geographically, these are the states where high-risk industries are most prevalent,” said Brandon Takacs, Ph.D., WVU Safety and Health Extension associate professor. “It’s important that we can train the workers in identifying and preventing hazards on the job site.”

Takacs said the focus of the grant is on training workers to recognize hazards and appropriate control measures, and to understand their rights under OSHA regulations and standards. The training program will focus on identifying and correcting hazards associated with falls and other accidents as well as electrical hazards including arc flash, combustible dust and health hazards.

“The grant will help workers and employers to gain the knowledge and tools they need to help make the entire worksite safer,” he said.

The goal is to reach at least 600 at-risk workers within the first year of the grant. One unique aspect of the grant is the follow-up assistance provided after the initial health and safety services. The assistance can range from helping employers develop safety courses to worksite safety inspections.

According to Takacs, the new grant builds upon other successful Susan Hardwood Training grant programs – like existing training courses and handouts – and adds new hands-on activities.

OSHA’s Susan Harwood Training Grants are awarded for the development of training and education programs concerning recognition, avoidance and prevention of workplace safety and health hazards for employers and workers. The developmental grants are for organizations that already have established the capability to provide occupational safety and health training, education and related assistance to their constituents and are seeking to expand and develop their capacity.

WVU Safety and Health is a unit of WVU Extension Service. Safety and Health faculty and staff provide technical assistance, safety and health training, and applied research services to public- and private-sector employers and employees.
For more information on Safety and Health courses and training, call 1-800-626-4749.

—WVU—

caw/10/22/10

CONTACT:
Ann Bailey Berry
voice: 304.293.5691
cell: 304.216.3938
e-mail: ann.berry@mail.wvu.edu