Salt Lake City, UT – The Utah Labor Commission is requesting applications to award funding for projects or initiatives demonstrating a commitment to workplace safety. The purpose of the grant is to identify businesses, educational institutions and community agencies who demonstrate a commitment to workplace safety, and desire to implement initiatives which promote either new, or existing safety programs within the workplace. Proposals may include, but are not limited to, development of workshops and training, implementation of specialized safety programs, increasing effort and resources for existing programs, and collaborative workplace safety training between organizations.
The money that supports the workplace safety fund is generated from a 0.25% assessment of workers’ compensation premiums paid annually in Utah. The Utah Labor Commission is charged with the task of using these funds to promote workplace safety, which includes awarding a portion of account funds to selected grant applicants. This upcoming fiscal year will include over $300,000 in total awards to selected grant recipients and will be distributed among as many qualifying applicants and in monetary amounts the Labor Commission deems appropriate. Entities eligible to apply for a grant include Utah businesses, community-based organizations, Utah non-profits and local associations and educational institutions.
“The Workplace Safety Committee of the Labor Commission has identified key priorities upon which to focus for the upcoming year. The focus is with industries and occupations that have higher incidences of workplace accidents and fatalities such as construction, manufacturing and highway safety, as well as projects that assist Utah employers in breaking down barriers to safer work environments due to language and cultural barriers”, said Utah Labor Commissioner, Sherrie Hayashi. “This is a great opportunity for an employer or other entity to augment its safety program budget and provide additional means to reduce workplace accidents for its employees.”
The Grant Application and all related details outlining the criteria successful applicants must satisfy, as well as the process the Commission shall use to award the funds, is available online at www.laborcommission.utah.gov or by contacting Elena Bensor, Community Relations/Public Information Officer at (801) 530-6918 or elenabensor@utah.gov.
Grant Applications are due Monday, March 18th, 2013 at 5:00 p.m. The grant contract will involve up to a 12 month period ending June 30, 2014.
Source: Utah Labor Commission