OSHA funds TCIA workplace safety workshops

The Tree Care Industry Association was awarded $148,500 from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration through a Susan HarwoodTraining Grant Program to fund workplace safety workshops.

The funding is for nonprofit organizations to conduct in-person, hands-on training and educational programs for employers and workers on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety and health hazards in their workplaces.

This grant will allow TCIA to offer free training to hundreds of tree care workers around electrical hazards awareness, ground operations, and aerial lift safety. Employees must be from companies with less than 250 employees, specifically targeting low-literacy and hard-to-reach workers.

“Tree care is one of the most dangerous industries,” says Peter Gerstenberger, TCIA’s senior vice president for industry expertise. “We are pleased to offer this training at no cost to the participants to help identify and eliminate hazards to help ensure that every worker returns home safely at the end of the day.”

The retail value for these workshops is up to $141.99, and attendees who complete them will also be eligible for the International Society ofArboriculture and Certified Treecare Safety Professional program Continuing Education Units (CEUs). TCIA’s qualified trainers will teach the courses.

For more information and to see upcoming events, visit www.tcia.org/Susan-Harwood-Grant or call 1-800-733-2622.