The U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced the award of more than $6.7 million in grants to 37 nonprofit organizations nationwide to fund education and training programs to help workers and employers recognize infectious diseases, including Coronavirus health hazards, and identify preventive measures for a safe workplace.

Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit Farmworker Justice was awarded a $200,000 grant to provide 1 hour of COVID-19 training to 750 employers and workers and develop a 7.5 hour "train-the-trainer" program for 25 trainees in the farming industry. The targeted audience includes limited-English speakers. Training will include identifying COVID-19, preventive measures, and workers' rights. The organization plans to use existing training materials from OSHA, CDC, and materials developed by consortium partners. Training will be in English, Spanish, and indigenous languages.

The award includes “Workplace Safety and Health Training on Infectious Diseases, including the Coronavirus” grants funded by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The grants derive from the Susan Harwood Workplace Safety and Health Training program, named in honor of the late Susan Harwood, former director of OSHA's Office of Risk Assessment.

The program funds grants to nonprofit organizations, including community and faith-based groups, employer associations, labor unions, joint labor-management associations, colleges and universities. Target trainees include small-business employers and underserved vulnerable workers in high-hazard industries. These grants are a critical element in supporting OSHA's role in educating workers on their rights and assisting employers with providing safe workplaces.