With the passage of the continuing resolution for the 2017 Federal Budget there was money available for the Susan Harwood Grant Program. Unfortunately there was no request for proposals or continuation funding for the Institutional Capacity Building which WisCOSH had been a partner with the National COSH and other COSHs across the country.
Over the past year WisCOSH was able to work closely with Accion Ciudadadas de WI in providing a number of well recieved and much requested classes and workshops. WisCOSH could see a community of workers and employers wanting to know what they can do to make sure workers are safe and return home healthy but not adequately being served.
With the grant request for proposals restricted to a number of targeted training topics WisCOSH decided that of the topics available to produce and provide training that includes the largest portion of workers was the recently updated Hazard Communication Standard (2012). Nearly all workers have chemicals in their workplace, use chemicals in their workplace or produce chemicals or products from the chemicals. Immigrant workers seldom receive competent training or reference materials. Immigrant employers often are unsure of where to go for help and guidance they can feel safe in trusting or affording.
