Oregon OSHA Opens Grant Program to Fund Innovative Worker Safety Training Projects
A new funding opportunity supports the development of creative tools to improve safety and health training for workers in high-hazard industries, from forestry to construction.
- By Stasia DeMarco
- Jul 08, 2025
Oregon OSHA is accepting applications for its annual training grant program aimed at improving workplace safety and health in high-hazard industries across the state.
The grant program funds the development of innovative training and educational materials that target key safety challenges in industries such as forestry, construction, and agriculture. Applications are due by 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 3, and must propose new or significantly expanded projects to be eligible.
“This program helps turn creative safety ideas into real-world tools that protect Oregon workers,” the division said in its announcement. “We’re ready to help applicants bring those ideas to life.”
Projects can include immersive video training, multilingual safety publications, or multimedia toolkits that outline best practices for high-risk job tasks. Past grant recipients have tackled issues ranging from pesticide safety and suicide prevention to ergonomic risks and heat illness.
Examples of previous projects include:
- Spanish translation of pesticide labels used in reforestation
- Toolbox talks focused on suicide prevention in construction
- Virtual reality training to identify infection hazards in hospitals
- Ergonomic safety education for nurses
- Safe-design guidelines for logging anchor systems
- Training videos on silica, lead, noise, and asbestos
- Spanish-language flip charts to prevent heat illness in forest work
Eligible applicants include labor and employer organizations, nonprofit entities, and educational institutions affiliated with such groups. However, funding will not support research, ongoing activities, or compliance efforts already required by law. The program specifically seeks fresh ideas that meaningfully advance safety and health training.
Materials developed with grant funding may not be sold for profit. Once completed, all grant-funded content becomes public and is housed either in the Oregon OSHA Resource Center or made available online.
The grant initiative was established in 1990 by the Oregon Legislature. Applications are reviewed and recommended by the Safe Employment Education and Training Advisory Committee, which includes representatives from labor, business, and government.
For more information or to apply, visit:
https://osha.oregon.gov/edu/grants/Pages/default.aspx
About the Author
Stasia DeMarco is the Content Editor for OH&S.