MIOSHA Awards $900,000 in Grants to Strengthen Workplace Safety and Health in 2026

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has awarded $900,000 in grants to 18 nonprofit organizations, universities, labor unions and industry groups across Michigan to help improve workplace safety and health. The funding was increased this year in an effort to strengthen MIOSHA’s Consultation Education and Training Grant Program, which expands access to safety training for small and medium-sized employers.

“Small and medium-sized businesses are the backbone of Michigan’s economy, and these grants give them access to training that can make a real difference on the job,” said Sean Egan, LEO deputy director of labor. “As industries evolve and workplaces become more diverse, employers are looking for practical tools to protect their teams. This program delivers the kind of training that supports safer, healthier workplaces statewide.”

Grant recipients will deliver training across industries including construction, manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, public service and education. Funded projects include programs targeting silica hazards, ergonomics, tree trimming safety, neurodiversity-conscious training, workplace mental health and a continued statewide focus on workplace violence prevention.

“The Consultation Education and Training Grant Program continues to meet employers where they are by providing training that reflects the real needs of Michigan’s workforce,” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. “Whether it’s improving ergonomics, expanding mental health awareness or designing safety programs that reach every type of learner, these grants help workers stay safe and help businesses strengthen their safety culture."

As workplaces evolve, one emerging trend is the need for safety programs that support workers with different learning needs and communication styles. To highlight this growing area, 2026 grant recipient Incompass Michigan delivers neurodiversity-conscious safety training designed for workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism and other neurodivergent conditions.

“Michigan’s workforce is changing, and employers are seeking safety training that supports every type of learner,” said Todd Culver, Incompass Michigan president and CEO. “This grant allows us to deliver accessible, neurodiversity-conscious training that helps workers with different communication and processing needs stay safe on the job. When safety programs are designed for everyone, the entire workplace benefits.”

Grant Recipients

• AFL-CIO of Michigan Provides workplace safety training for manufacturing, construction, local government and health care with an emphasis on new workers.

• Alpena Community College Delivers safety and health training to manufacturing, construction and fire service employers in Northeast Michigan.

• Associated General Contractors of Michigan Offers construction safety training addressing changes to MIOSHA standards and advanced topics such as fall protection, scaffolding and excavation safety.

• Bay College Provides tree trimming and chainsaw safety training for forestry, landscaping and tree care industries.

• Center for Workplace Violence Prevention Delivers comprehensive training on workplace violence prevention, behavioral threat assessment and active assailant preparedness.

• Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals at Niles and St. Joseph Provides First Responder Safety Training including First Aid, CPR, AED use and bloodborne pathogen education.

• Eastern Michigan University – Organization for Risk Reduction Offers workshops to help employers recognize excavation hazards and select appropriate control methods.

• Emergency Services Rescue Training Delivers training for first responders on farm-related emergencies including grain entrapments, tractor rollovers and equipment entanglements.

• Great Lakes Safety Training Center Provides Arc Flash Awareness training for employees in manufacturing and construction.

• Incompass Michigan Delivers neurodiversity-conscious safety training for workers with intellectual and developmental disabilities, autism and other neurodivergent conditions.

• Lawrence Technological University Offers seminars analyzing construction incidents and identifying strategies to prevent fall and electrocution hazards.

• Michigan Green Industry Association Provides tree care safety training focused on chainsaw operations, arborist rigging and electrical hazard awareness.

• Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association Delivers roadway and trenching safety training including the “Big Four” hazards, suicide prevention and a new tool safety component.

• Michigan State University Provides agricultural safety and health outreach to help producers and workers identify and control farm-related hazards.

• Parents for Student Safety Employment Standards Delivers young worker safety training for students and teachers in construction, retail and other industries employing co-op students.

• UAW Provides safety and health training for smaller workplaces and supports temporary workers, young workers and those with language barriers.

• University of Michigan Center for Ergonomics Delivers ergonomics training and technical assistance for small and medium-sized employers.

• Wayne State University Provides mental health training and awareness for workers in the construction industry.

Since 2013, the MIOSHA Consultation Education and Training Grant Program has awarded nearly $12 million to support employer and employee safety training across Michigan. The program aims to increase access to safety education for employers with fewer than 100 workers and encourage innovative strategies for delivering prevention-focused training.

Learn more about MIOSHA’s Consultation Education and Training Grant Program and other grant opportunities that support workplace safety and health at: Michigan.gov/mioshagrants.

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