Michigan Offering Matching Grants for Workplace Safety, Health Improvements

Matching grants of up to $5,000 to improve workplace safety and health are being made available to Michigan companies that have up to 250 employees.

Administered by the Michigan’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA), the goal of the MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) grant program is to create a safer and healthier work environment and reduce the risk of injury and illness to workers.

MIOSHA has a total of $250,000 to distribute through the program. Grants will be offered to employers to purchase safety and health-related equipment and equipment-related training. Preference will be given to employers in high-hazard industries identified in MIOSHA’s 2019-2023 Strategic Plan.

The grant period begins Oct. 1.

To qualify, an employer must meet the following conditions:

• Have 250 employees or less, company-wide.
• Come under the jurisdiction of MIOSHA.
• A qualified safety professional or safety committee must have conducted a site-specific evaluation justifying the equipment purchase.
• The grant project must be consistent with the recommendations of the safety and/or health evaluation and must directly relate to improvements that will lead to a reduction in the risk of injury or disease to employees.
• The employer must have the knowledge and experience to complete the project and must be committed to its implementation.
• The employer must be able to match the grant money awarded and all estimated project costs must be covered.

A limited number of MIWISH grants will be available to training organizations. To be eligible, the training organization must make the equipment available to its members for use.