Harwood - excavation and trenching

Arizona State University's Office of Research and Sponsored Projects Administration (Orspa) received a $179,427 block grant from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the Occupational Safety and Health Susan Harwood Training Grants program (CFDA 17.502) for the period ending September 30, 2026. This award supports the development and delivery of occupational safety and health training and educational materials focused on excavation and trenching hazards. The training initiative is designed to help workers and employers in construction and related high-hazard industries recognize, avoid, and abate workplace hazards associated with excavation and trenching operations, with particular emphasis on serving disadvantaged, underserved, and hard-to-reach worker populations.

Under the Susan Harwood Training Grants program guidelines, ASU will deliver instructor-led training and develop educational materials addressing OSHA-specified priorities in excavation and trenching safety. The funded activities support the program's strategic objectives of improving occupational safety and health education for workers and employers in small businesses and high-hazard industries facing barriers to accessing comprehensive safety training. As a typical 12-month performance period grant, ASU is required to maintain comprehensive records for three years following grant closeout and participate in data collection and program evaluation efforts to assess the effectiveness of the training delivered.