Second OSHA Grant for Ergonomics Training
Washington, D.C. - On September 24, 2001, the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) was awarded its second Susan Harwood Training Grant from the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Susan Harwood Training Grants provide funds to nonprofit organizations to conduct safety and health training and education in the workplace. The focus of EREF's award is to provide ergonomics education and prevention training for the solid waste industry.
EREF will receive $56,330 through September 30, 2002 to administer the following activities under the terms of the grant:
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develop an innovative, internet-based, distance-learning ergonomics training program;
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present a full-day ergonomics training session during WasteExpo in Las Vegas, Nev., in May 2002;
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continue development of the solid waste industry's Best Management Practices (BMPs) for preventing ergonomics injuries to solid waste employees;
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create and maintain a comprehensive database on ergonomic issues, to include details on preventive measures, regulatory compliance and announcements on future training sessions.
Under the supervision of EREF, the Environmental Industry Associations (EIA), a Washington, D.C.-based non-profit trade association, will be managing and implementing most of the technical and logistical aspects of the grant.
The internet-based, distance-learning program will include a video training session, downloadable text applications, and links to relevant websites, providing a convenient and user-friendly means for teaching safety managers and others how to perform a job hazard analysis and implement solutions to ergonomic risks faced by solid waste employees.
On August 28, 2000, EREF was awarded its first Susan Harwood Training Grant in the amount of $58,000 to develop Best Management Practices (BMPs) for the solid waste industry and to present four ergonomics training sessions in the United States in 2001. The efforts in the development of solid waste industry BMPs continue, relying on the in-depth knowledge and expertise of reputable industry safety experts, while extracting a wealth of knowledge from employees and managers of solid waste companies, manufacturers and distributes of equipment, municipal officials and others. The solid waste industry's BMPs will be peer reviewed by OSHA and industry experts prior to issuance and incorporated into the training programs currently conducted under the grant.
One- and two-day ergonomics training programs have already been offered in Houston, Tex. (January), Chicago, Ill. (April), and Atlanta, Ga. (June). A fourth session is scheduled for November 7 in Tarrytown, N.Y. The ergonomics training sessions are open to all public and private sector employees in the solid waste industry.
The mission of the Environmental Research and Education Foundation is to develop environmental solutions for the future through research and education. Its endowment provides the financial base for a sustainable series of significant projects and scholarships (www.erefdn.org).
The Environmental Industry Associations is a trade association dedicated to the advancement of safe and environmentally protective management of waste through the private wastes services industry.
Contact: Anne M.
Brauer, Director of Development and Communications
703.299.5139 or abrauer@erefdn.org
Ed Repa, Director of Environmental Programs
703.299.5139 or erepa@erefdn.org
Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF)
120 S. Fayette Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
703.299.5139 Fax: 703.299.5145
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