Detroit City Wire

Small businesses in Michigan with 250 employees or fewer can now apply for a Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) matching grant of up to $5,000. This grant is intended to help purchase equipment and associated training to improve the safety and health of their employees.

The MIOSHA Workplace Improvement to Safety and Health (MIWISH) grant program offers a dollar-for-dollar match, up to $5,000, for qualifying employers to purchase safety and health-related equipment.

“MIOSHA’s innovative grant opportunities are a critical tool to foster safe and healthy workplaces in Michigan,” said MIOSHA Director Bart Pickelman. “These grants help small businesses invest in life-saving equipment and resources they might otherwise struggle to afford.”

The primary goal of the MIWISH Grant is to create safer, healthier work environments and reduce the risk of injury and illness among Michigan workers.

During the 2023-24 fiscal year, MIOSHA awarded $488,353 in matching grants to 132 employers. Among these was a $4,935 MIWISH grant given to the Saginaw County Road Commission for purchasing safety equipment, including six Bluetooth communication headsets.

“These headsets reduce harmful noise from equipment but enable normal listening so workers can effectively communicate and hear surrounding hazards while performing critical tasks in keeping the roadways safe for the public,” said Haley Christensen, Saginaw County Road Commission permit & safety officer. “We are extremely appreciative for this grant program and look forward to future opportunities helping us create an even safer workplace.”

The new grant cycle began on Oct. 1, with grants being awarded until funds are exhausted. Preference will be given to employers in high-hazard industries identified in MIOSHA’s Strategic Plan and projects tied to State and National Emphasis Programs. These include industries dealing with amputations, cannabis, heat-related illness, trenching, excavation among others.

Eligibility requirements for employers include having 250 employees or less company-wide; coming under the jurisdiction of MIOSHA; conducting a site-specific evaluation justifying the equipment purchase; relating the project directly to improvements that will lead to a reduction in injury or disease risk; having knowledge and experience necessary for completing the project; and being committed to its implementation.

Examples of eligible equipment include eyewash stations, fall protection systems, machine guarding devices, lockout/tagout systems, noise monitoring tools as well as lifting equipment for small nursing care facilities.

Employers who received MIWISH grants during the 2024 fiscal year may apply for additional funding after Jan. 1, 2025 if funds remain available.

For more information about the MIWISH grant program or how to apply visit michigan.gov/mioshagrants or contact MIOSHA’s grant administrator at 269-275-7155.

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