Financial Assistance for Safety Related Projects that Reduce Employee Risk for Injury

Did you know LMCIT Loss Control professionals can help your city apply to the Safety Grant Program through the MN Department of Workplace Safety Consultation?  The Safety Grant Program awards funds, with a dollar-for-dollar match up to $10,000, to qualifying employers for projects designed to reduce the risk of injury or illness to their employees. 

MN OSHA's current primary inspection emphasis industries include public entities and utilities which means cities are a priority in terms of receiving the grant.  Cities may apply for the grant by each city department if they wish.  This way, each department can try to obtain equipment and/or training that is specific to improving safety in their own department. 

Make Plans for a Grant

LMCIT Loss Control finds that many cities are having success in getting their grant application approved.    LMCIT members can use the recommendation letter from their Loss Control Consultant to help the city qualify for the grant.  Work with your loss control consultant to submit your request to LMCIT and Underwriting staff will sign the grant application. 

Grant money can be used for:

• All or part of the cost of purchasing and/or installing recommended safety equipment;
• The cost of operating or maintaining such equipment;
• The cost of property, if the property is necessary to meet the safety inspection recommendations;
• The cost of training tied to equipment; and
• Tuition reimbursement

If you have an interest in applying for the Safety Grant, you should complete and send an application to Workplace Safety Consultation (WSC) - applications can be written or completed online.  Applications are accepted continuously, and grants are awarded monthly.  You can re-apply for the grant multiple times if you are not initially approved, so keep trying!

Information, applications and other useful forms for the Safety Grant Program can be obtained at the following link:Minnesota Safety Grant

Back in 1993, the Minnesota Department of Labor and Industry started this program to assist employers in making their workplaces safer and healthier.  Since budgets are tight, some cities are struggling to get the safety equipment and tools that are needed.  This grant program can help with that, and many Minnesota cities are making use of it.

Grant money is possible as the result of funds that are deposited in the Safety Grant account from fines levied against employers.  As such, the amount of grant money available can fluctuate over time.  The number of grants awarded varies depending on available funding, but can range from 150 to more than 200 grants awarded each year

by Cheryl Brennan