LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) has awarded $870,000 in grants to 18 nonprofit organizations and labor unions across Michigan to help improve workplace safety and health. These annual grants are designed to supplement MIOSHA’s CET Division activities by developing and implementing safety and health training programs for small and medium-sized employers and organizations.
“By offering these grants, we’re not just enhancing workplace safety—we’re building a stronger, more resilient workforce,” said Sean Egan, LEO Deputy Director of Labor. “These programs empower small and medium-sized businesses with the tools to create safer, healthier environments where workers can thrive, driving both economic growth and equity across Michigan.”
The organizations receiving grants will focus on reducing safety risks in industries like healthcare, manufacturing, and construction. This year’s projects include efforts to control exposure to silica dust and provide workplace mental health awareness training, reflecting MIOSHA's ongoing commitment to all levels of worker safety.
“These grants represent our ongoing commitment to equipping Michigan’s workforce with high-quality safety training,” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. “We are proud to partner with organizations that meet the specific safety needs of diverse industries, helping workers stay safe and businesses thrive.”
Workplace violence prevention continues to be a key priority. In 2022, workplace homicides rose by 8.9% and nonfatal injuries increased by 0.9%, reaching 41,270 cases nationwide, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
The largest grant, $85,000, went to the Center for Workplace Violence Prevention, Inc., to support its training programs for various organizations, including businesses, government agencies, healthcare facilities, retail stores, and schools. Their focus includes:
- Designing workplace violence prevention programs
- Using threat management teams to diffuse and manage threats
- Personal Safety Strategies
- Verbal de-escalation Skills
- Lone worker safety
“MIOSHA CET Grant funding allows us to deliver training that serves workplaces of all types, sizes, and locations,” said Kenneth Wolf, Director of the Center for Workplace Violence Prevention, Inc. “The Center has received consistent positive feedback, with many participants expressing gratitude to MIOSHA for making these essential resources available—especially for small employers and public sector organizations that might not have access otherwise.”
Since 2013, the MIOSHA CET Grant Program has awarded over $11 million to employers to support workplace safety. The program is designed to:
- Increase access to safety education and training for employers and employees, particularly for employers with fewer than 100 employees.
- Encourage new strategies for delivering safety education and prevention services.
- Assess the effectiveness of alternative strategies and service providers.
FY 2025 CET Grant Recipients:
- AFL-CIO of Michigan – Safety training for manufacturing, construction, education, and local government sectors.
- Alpena Community College – Safety and health programs for healthcare, construction, manufacturing, forestry, and logging industries.
- Associated General Contractors of Michigan – Safety training on fall protection, crane rigging, scaffolding, and more.
- Bay College – Chainsaw and tree trimming safety training for forestry, landscaping, and clearing industries.
- Center for Workplace Violence Prevention, Inc. – Comprehensive violence prevention and personal safety training.
- Corewell Health Lakeland Hospitals – First responder safety programs, including CPR, AED, and bloodborne pathogen training.
- Eastern Michigan University Organization for Risk Reduction – Training on excavation hazards and exposure control.
- Emergency Services Rescue Training – Specialized farm emergency training for first responders.
- Great Lakes Safety Training Center – Arc Flash Awareness training for manufacturing and construction employees.
- Incompass Michigan – Safety training for community rehabilitation organizations and workers with disabilities.
- Lawrence Technological University – Seminars on incident prevention and safety protocols in construction.
- Michigan Green Industry Association (MGIA) – Training on tree care safety and arborist practices.
- Michigan Infrastructure and Transportation Association (MITA) – Training on safety in heavy construction, including roadway work and trenching.
- Michigan State University – Safety toolkits and training for the agricultural industry.
- Parents for Student Safety Employment Standards (PASSES) – Safety training for students in trade programs and industrial arts classes.
- United Auto Workers (UAW) – Safety programs for small workplaces, young workers, and workers with language barriers.
- University of Michigan Center for Ergonomics – Customized ergonomics training and technical assistance.
- Wayne State University – Mental health awareness training for construction workers.
For more details on the 2025 CET grant projects and descriptions, visit Michigan.gov/mioshagrants.
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