The Occupational Safety and Health Training and Education (OSH T&E) Program is administered by the New York State Department of Labor (NYSDOL) and funded through the Hazard Abatement Board (HAB). The program provides grants to organizations to deliver safety training at little or no cost. These grants are awarded annually through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process. The RFP is made available on the NYSDOL website and specifies submission requirements, deadlines, and funding priorities.

The primary goal of the OSH T&E grants is to promote workplace safety and health through training and education initiatives. These efforts aim to identify, evaluate, and control workplace safety and health hazards, encourage voluntary compliance with occupational safety and health regulations, and foster proactive measures to prevent workplace accidents, injuries, and illnesses. The program also seeks to increase awareness of New York State's Right-to-Know Law and related safety regulations, particularly concerning toxic substances in the workplace.

Eligible applicants for this program include public and private businesses, labor organizations, municipalities, trade associations, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions operating within New York State. The program particularly encourages joint proposals from labor and management, as well as applications from organizations that have not previously received funding or have not recently applied. Collaborative proposals and programs designed with input from both labor and management are highly valued.

Funding under this program may be used for a variety of training and education initiatives. These include general and hazard-specific workplace safety training, infection prevention programs, specialized accident-reduction training, and initiatives aimed at controlling occupational hazards such as toxic chemicals, noise, heat, and ergonomic issues. The grants can also fund programs addressing airborne infectious diseases, bloodborne pathogens, chemical safety, and compliance with state and federal safety standards. Additional focus areas include managing workplace violence risks, resolving job safety challenges, and promoting pollution prevention and toxic use reduction.

Most funded programs run on a 12-month cycle, beginning in August and ending in July. The RFP is typically released between late November and early December, providing applicants approximately 7-8 weeks to prepare and submit their proposals. Specific deadlines and submission requirements are outlined in each annual RFP.

For more information or assistance, applicants can contact the Hazard Abatement Board at the New York State Department of Labor via phone at 518-457-3893 or email at WDTD.Onestop@labor.ny.gov. Detailed program information and resources are also available on their website: www.labor.ny.gov/hab/.