South Dakota State University received an $780,000 Block Grant from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) under the Consultation Agreements program (CFDA 17.504), effective October 1, 2025 through September 30, 2026. The award funds the delivery of no-cost, confidential on-site occupational safety and health consultation services to small- and medium-sized employers throughout South Dakota, with priority focus on businesses engaged in high-hazard operations. Consultation activities operate independently from OSHA enforcement operations and are designed to identify workplace hazards, provide compliance guidance aligned with OSHA standards, and support employer efforts to establish and improve workplace safety and health programs.
As the designated state administrator for South Dakota's On-Site Consultation Program, South Dakota State University will deploy occupational safety and health consultants to serve private employers within the state. The services provided under this cooperative agreement are non-enforcement in nature, meaning they do not result in citations or penalties. The university is required to provide matching funds equal to at least 10 percent of the federal award as a condition of the grant and must maintain records for three years following grant closeout or final audit, whichever occurs later.