Bay College receives MIOSHA grant

Bay De Noc Community College is among nearly two dozen institutions receiving notification from the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs Deputy Director Steve Arwood of a grant allocation. L.A.R.A announced today the Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has awarded 22 Consultation Education and Training (CET) Grants for Fiscal Year 2012 totaling $1.05 million to promote worker safety and health across the state. The MIOSHA program is a LARA agency.

“Our exemplary Michigan companies tell us that investing in workplace safety provides them with the added benefits of increased productivity and profits,” said Arwood. “This $1 million dollar investment will help us expand our safety and health efforts to protect Michigan’s working men and women.”

The Consultation Education and Training (CET) Division provides outreach services to employers in a variety of formats. The MIOSHA CET Grant program provides additional options for safety and health education and training to employers and employees. Most of the grants focus on the performance goals identified in the FY 2009 – 2013 MIOSHA Strategic Plan, with a particular emphasis on hazard recognition and prevention for high-hazard industries.

The 22 statewide projects will include a wide range of training activities and proficiency levels, and many will offer interactive computer-based training modules. Training topics include: machine rescue operations; workplace violence prevention; healthcare and long-term care hazards; asbestos awareness; ergonomics; youth safety; fall protection; road construction; and construction site walkthroughs.

“Protecting workers is the mission of the MIOSHA program,” said MIOSHA Director Doug Kalinowski. “Working collaboratively with the CET Grantees, we can provide Michigan employers and workers with creative and powerful tools to prevent workplace injuries and illnesses.”

Bay De Noc Community College will provide safety training and technical assistance to owners and employees in the wood products industry through on-site visits with an emphasis in sawmills and secondary wood manufacturing. They will also provide safety training in nursing/residential homes. For more information contact Barbara Walden at 906.789.6902 or waldenb@baycollege.edu.