Workplace safety improvements can require a significant investment. New lifting equipment, material handling systems, ergonomic equipment, and other safety interventions can help reduce employee injuries, but the cost of these improvements can make some employers hesitant to move forward.
For qualifying Ohio employers, funding may be available to offset a portion of that cost.
Through the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) Safety Intervention Grant Program, eligible employers can receive up to $40,000 in matching funds for equipment and interventions designed to substantially reduce or eliminate workplace injuries and illnesses. BWC provides $3 for every $1 contributed by the employer, subject to program requirements.¹
Employers in Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties can also access a new resource, GrantSafe Ohio, for assistance navigating the grant process.
How the BWC Safety Intervention Grant Works
The Safety Intervention Grant Program helps eligible Ohio employers purchase equipment intended to address specific workplace safety risks.
Potentially eligible equipment varies by industry and the type of hazard an employer is trying to address. BWC materials identify examples including lift tables, powered pallet movers, carts, conveyors, cranes and hoists, lifting devices, robots, vacuum lifts, and certain fall protection and ventilation systems.¹
Construction and service employers may have different opportunities. BWC materials for those industries identify equipment including powered dollies, welding positioners, lift gates, powered buggies, and other material handling or safety equipment.² ³
As a result, employers should begin by identifying the workplace exposure they are trying to address rather than simply identifying a piece of equipment they would like to purchase.
Who May Qualify?
A variety of Ohio employers may be able to benefit from the program, including:
- Manufacturers
- Contractors
- HVAC companies
- Landscapers
- Warehouses and distribution operations
- Transportation companies
- Healthcare providers
- Municipalities
- Schools and other public entities
- Other qualifying Ohio employers
Eligibility requirements and available interventions vary, so employers should review current BWC requirements before proceeding with an application or equipment purchase.
Preparing a Safety Grant Application
While the availability of funding can make a safety investment more affordable, employers still need to work through the BWC application process.
That process can include identifying an eligible intervention, gathering vendor quotes and supporting documentation, documenting the workplace hazard, explaining how the proposed equipment will reduce the exposure, and completing the required application materials.
Employers considering a grant should keep several things in mind:
- Start with the safety concern. Identify the task, process, or workplace condition that creates the employee exposure.
- Evaluate potential interventions. Consider equipment or other solutions that directly address the identified risk.
- Review eligibility before purchasing equipment. Employers should understand the applicable BWC requirements before committing to a purchase.
- Gather supporting information. Vendor quotes, equipment specifications, and documentation of the existing safety concern may be needed as part of the application.
- Allow time for the application process. Employers should consider grant requirements early in the planning process rather than waiting until they are ready to purchase equipment.
GrantSafe Ohio Offers Assistance to Local Employers
For employers in Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties, GrantSafe Ohio is available to assist with the process.
GrantSafe Ohio can work with employers to identify potentially eligible safety equipment, obtain vendor quotes and required documentation, prepare applications and safety justifications, navigate applicable BWC requirements, and manage the submission process.
The organization does not determine whether a grant is approved. Grant awards remain subject to BWC eligibility requirements, program rules, and review.
For employers already considering an investment in workplace safety, however, reviewing available funding before purchasing equipment can be worthwhile.
Eligible employers may qualify for up to $40,000 per eligibility cycle. BWC materials describe a 3-to-1 match, with BWC contributing $3 for every $1 contributed by the employer, subject to current program requirements.¹
Eligible interventions depend on the industry and workplace hazard being addressed. Examples identified by BWC include lifting and material handling equipment, conveyors, cranes and hoists, certain fall protection systems, and other equipment intended to reduce specific workplace injury or illness risks.¹ ² ³
BWC materials identify both private and public employers as potentially eligible for Safety Intervention Grant funding, subject to program requirements and exclusions.⁴
Employers should review current BWC requirements before purchasing equipment they expect to fund through the grant program. Evaluating the grant opportunity early can help ensure the proposed intervention and supporting documentation meet applicable requirements.
Considering a Workplace Safety Investment?
Employers planning to purchase equipment to address an existing workplace safety concern should consider whether BWC funding may be available before moving forward.
GrantSafe Ohio works with employers in Ashtabula, Trumbull, Mahoning, and Columbiana counties to evaluate potential opportunities and navigate the application process.
For more information, visit GrantSafeOhio.com or contact:
Erika Pope
330-371-2232
Erika@GrantSafeOhio.com
Sources
- Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Manufacturing Industry Safety Intervention Grant Program.
- Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Construction Industry Safety Intervention Grant Program.
- Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Services Industry Safety Intervention Grant Program.
- Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation, Public Employers Safety Intervention Grant Program.
Program availability, eligibility requirements, funding levels, and other BWC requirements are subject to change. Employers should confirm current requirements before making purchasing or application decisions.
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