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.
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| 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
