OSH consultative cooperative agreement utilizes funds for consultative workplace safety and health services for smaller employers with hazardous operations

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) awarded the North Carolina Department of Labor a $1.54 million Block Grant under the Consultation Agreements program (CFDA 17.504), effective October 1, 2025, through September 30, 2026. This award funds the delivery of no-cost, confidential on-site occupational safety and health consultation services to small and medium-sized employers operating hazardous worksites throughout North Carolina. Consultation services operate independently from OSHA enforcement activities and do not result in citations or penalties.

Under this award, the North Carolina Department of Labor will deploy occupational safety and health consultants to identify workplace hazards, provide guidance on Occupational Safety and Health Administration standards compliance, and assist employers in establishing and improving comprehensive safety and health programs. The consultation program prioritizes service delivery to smaller employers with high-hazard operations and operates as part of the national On-Site Consultation Program serving all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. As a designated state agency, the North Carolina Department of Labor is required to provide a minimum 10 percent match in non-federal funds to complement the federal award.