Higgins: Nearly $180,000 for Western New York Council on Occupational Safety & Health

Grant to support safe workplace training

Congressman Brian Higgins announced the Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health (WNYCOSH) was awarded a federal grant totaling $179,912. The award was provided through the U.S. Department of Labor’s Susan Harwood Training Grant program dedicated to making workers aware of their rights and supporting efforts to recognize and prevent workplace safety and health hazards.

“Information is a powerful tool in the prevention of workplace injuries and tragedies,” Higgins said. “This will further the good work of the Western New York Council on Occupational Safety and Health, breaking down barriers to information that’s critical to keeping workers safe.”

WNYCOSH Executive Director Brian Brown-Cashdollar  said, “For this capacity building grant, WNYCOSH focused on required, in-demand trainings that are under resourced. We believe that, for every worker to be safe, all workers need to be trained.” 

Higgin’s team said, “WNYCOSH is a resource for local workers and employers, providing information and training on worker safety, rights and support. The organization plans to use the funding to expand training among hard-to-reach workers, including minority and limited-English-speaking populations. WNYCOSH will focus on fall prevention and fire safety, expecting to reach 960 employers and workers in the construction, health care, hospitality/restaurant, retail, and service industries.”

WNYCOSH was one of 100 nonprofit organizations receiving a combined $12.7 million in grants nationwide.

More information on WNYCOSH services and guidebooks for workers, in a variety of languages, are available at www.wnycosh.org.