Baker-Polito Administration Awards $100,000 in Workplace Safety Grants to Train 552 Workers

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $100,000 in Workplace Safety Grants to Train 552 Workers

(Boston, May, 8 2015) – Seven Massachusetts employers were awarded grants, totaling more than $100,000, to train 552 workers to prevent workplace injuries, illnesses, and deaths, Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald L. Walker, II announced today.

The Department of Industrial Accidents Office of Safety administers and manages the Workplace Safety Training and Education Grant program to promote safe, healthy workplace conditions through training, education, and other preventative programs for employers and employees covered by the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Law.

“It’s not just employers and workers who pay the price for occupational fatalities, injuries and illness. Society often bears the indirect costs of medical treatments and lost wages and productivity,” Gov. Charles Baker said.

“Making employers and workers aware of workplace hazards and developing safety precautions and protocols can go a long way in reducing the costs of workplace tragedies,” Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito said.

With $800,000 budgeted annually for the Safety Grant program, the Department of Industrial Accidents (DIA) has funded hundreds of programs that have educated thousands of employers and workers in the Commonwealth. The $100,000 in grants awarded today will be the last given out this fiscal year. 

“These grants have made Massachusetts workplaces safer and healthier for thousands of employees and simultaneously created opportunities for trained workers to move into new or higher-paying jobs,” Secretary Walker said.

Grant recipients can be awarded up to $25,000 per entity each fiscal year. Employers were awarded training grants through a competitive application process through DIA.

The Department of Industrial Accidents is opening another round of grant applications this month. To learn more about the safety grant program please visit DIA Office of Safety.

DIA Safety Grantees:

1.    Berkshire Family & Individual Resources                                      

North Adams, MA

Award: $10,165

Family and Individual Resources Inc. is a nonprofit human service organization providing support services for adults and children with disabilities, autism and traumatic brain injuries.

2.     ImagineThat                                                                                         

 Lawrence, MA

Award: $11,154

Imagine That has various business models that all focus on family and child engagement that are located in Lawrence and Boston.

3.      Quincy Geneva                                                

                                                                Dorchester, MA

Award: $24,844

Quincy Geneva’s main purpose is to create affordable housing opportunities and provide programs that raise economic, educational and social mobility to residents of Grove Hall.

4.      Youthbuild Boston Inc.

                                                                                                      Roxbury, MA

Award: $24,825

Youthbuild is the second pre-apprentice program certified in Massachusetts to help young people gain the tools to become wage earners and contribute to their families and communities.

5.    Vietnam Veterans Workshop                           

                                                                                                                                                          Boston, MA

Award: $11,235                                                    

The New England Center for Homeless Veterans offers an array of services to enable success, reintegration, meaningful employment and independent living to homeless veterans.

6.    Town of Wellesley

                                                                             Wellesley, MA

Award: $5,564

Wellesley Municipal Light Plant is a municipal department responsible for transmission and supply of the electricity.

7.    MasySystems                                                                               

        Pepperell, MA

Award: $12,337

Masy Systems provides validation, calibration and biorepository storage at controlled temperatures.