September 11, 2012
Harkin Announces More Than $310,000 from the Department of Labor for Iowa
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) announced today that the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration awarded $310,991 to two Iowa organizations. The funding is provided by the Susan Harwood Training Grant Program, which focuses on providing education and training for workers and employers on recognition, avoidance, and prevention of health and safety hazards in the workplace. Harkin chairs the Appropriations subcommittee that funds labor initiatives as well as the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
“This program is imperative for both small businesses, who may not have the resources to offer this training, and for employees working in high-hazard industries,” said Harkin. “Ensuring that workers have access to crucial job training keeps businesses strong, keeps workers safe, and strengthens the local economy. I am pleased to announce this funding and look forward to the opportunities it will provide.”
The Susan Harwood Training Grant Program has trained over 1.8 million workers since 1978 and focuses on informing workers of their rights and employers of their responsibilities under the OSH Act.
Details of the grants are as follows:
Agrisafe Network in Spencer – $171,000 for training to improve the health and safety of workers in agriculture production. Specifically targeted at small pork producers and grain processing facilities, the funds will be used to provide training on respirator programs, personal protective equipment related to chemical exposure, and manure pit safety.
Western Iowa Community College Foundation in Sioux City – $139,991 to build long term health and safety capacity and provide injury and illness prevention training to employers and employees of small business in the telecommunication tower and wind energy sectors.