Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents Awards Safety Training Grants to Seven Employers

Seven Massachusetts employers were recently awarded a combined total of more than $100,000 in grants that were issued to provide safety training to more than 550 workers. The Massachusetts Department of Industrial Accidents Office of Safety administers and manages the Workplace Safety Training and Education Grant program. This program was designed to encourage the creation of safe workplaces through training and preventative programs geared towards individuals and businesses covered by the Massachusetts Workers’ Compensation Law.

Each year, approximately $800,000 is budgeted to the grant program. Following a competitive application procedure, each business that is selected may receive up to $25,000 for safety programs during a fiscal year. Since its inception, thousands of workers and employers in Massachusetts have benefited from the educational opportunities afforded by the program. The most recent round of grant awards constituted the last payments scheduled for the current fiscal year.

In May, businesses in North Adams, Dorchester, Roxbury, Boston, Lawrence, Wellesley, and Pepperell received grants under the safety training program. According to Labor and Workforce Development Secretary Ronald Walker II, the Commonwealth hopes the grants will prevent a significant number of serious workplace illnesses, injuries, and tragic fatalities. Walker stated the Workplace Safety Training and Education Grant program also creates new opportunities for well-trained workers to move up. Governor Charles Baker added that the program helps to reduce those costs associated with preventable work-related harm that are currently borne by Massachusetts taxpayers as well as those who are unfortunately injured.

A severe workplace accident can result in a disabling injury or worse. According to the Massachusetts Department of Labor Standards, about 66,500 nonfatal work-related injuries and illnesses were reported in the Commonwealth’s private sector workforce in 2013. Of those nonfatal injuries, 29,200 cases resulted in days away from work and 7,500 cases resulted in a job transfer or restriction. In addition, state government workers reported about 4,400 nonfatal recordable workplace injuries that resulted in 2,200 employee days away from work, job transfers, or other restrictions during the same year.

The Massachusetts workers’ compensation system provides no-fault insurance to employees who were injured on the job. Under the law, employees who have been unable to work for at least five days due to a work-related injury are eligible to receive medical treatment and weekly financial compensation regardless of who was at fault. In addition, other benefits may be available. If you have questions about your right to receive workers’ compensation benefits, a knowledgeable Massachusetts workers’ compensation attorney can help.

If you were hurt on the job in the Boston Metro, you are advised to contact the experienced workers’ compensation lawyers at Kantrovitz & Associates, P.C. Our hardworking attorneys are here to help you recover the benefits you may be entitled to following a workplace accident. To discuss your rights under the Massachusetts workers’ compensation law in more detail, call Kantrovitz & Associates, P.C. at 800-367-0871 or contact us through our website today.

Additional Resources:

State Awards $100,000 in Workplace-safety Grants, by Business West, wggb.com