MIOSHA Announces $500,000 in Grant Funding Available to Michigan Small Businesses for Enhanced Worker Protections

LANSING, Mich. (Oct. 2, 2024) — Small businesses in Michigan with 250 employees or fewer can now apply for a Michigan Occupational Safety and Health Administration (MIOSHA) matching grant up to $5,000 to purchase equipment and associated training they need 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 to Michigan workers.

During the 2023-24 fiscal year, MIOSHA awarded $488,353 in matching grants to 132 employers, including a $4,935 MIWISH grant to the Saginaw County Road Commission used to purchase 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, and grants will be awarded until funds are exhausted. MIOSHA encourages new applicants to take advantage of this program, with preference given to employers in high-hazard industries identified in MIOSHA’s Strategic Plan and to projects tied to State and National Emphasis Programs. These include industries and hazards such as amputations, cannabis, heat-related illness, trenching, and excavation, among others.

Eligibility Requirements for Employers:

• Have 250 employees or less, company-wide.
• Come under the jurisdiction of MIOSHA.
• Conduct a site-specific evaluation justifying the equipment purchase.
• Relate the project directly to improvements that will lead to a reduction in the risk of injury or disease to employees.
• Have the knowledge and experience to complete the project and be committed to its implementation

Examples of Eligible Equipment:

• Eyewash stations
• Fall protection systems
• Machine guarding
• Lockout/tagout systems
• Noise monitoring equipment
• Lifting equipment for small nursing care facilities

Employers that received MIWISH grants in the 2024 fiscal year may apply for additional funding after Jan. 1, 2025, if funds are still available. 

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

About Cornerstone Alliance: Cornerstone Alliance is the leading economic development organization dedicated to fostering growth and prosperity in Michigan’s Great Southwest. Through strategic initiatives and collaborative partnerships, Cornerstone Alliance drives innovation and opportunity, positioning the region for sustainable economic success. As the leading advocate for the local business and development sector, Cornerstone Alliance delivers tailored business assistance across Berrien County.