Helping Utah Workplaces Stay Safe: The Workplace Safety Grant

When it comes to keeping people safe on the job, good intentions are only the start. Sometimes what employers and organizations really need is a little extra funding to make their safety ideas happen. That’s exactly where the Utah Labor Commission’s Workplace Safety Grant comes in.

This grant program is all about supporting projects that reduce workplace injuries, improve training, and build stronger safety cultures across Utah. Every year, the Commission awards hundreds of thousands of dollars to big and small groups. From businesses and nonprofits to schools and local associations. In 2024 alone, more than $640,000 was awarded to safety-focused projects around the state.

So, who’s the grant for?

The program is open to a wide range of applicants:

• Businesses of all sizes
• Nonprofits and community groups
• Schools and associations
• Local governments

Basically, if you’re in Utah and have an idea that could make workplaces safer, there’s a good chance you could apply.

There are two types of grants:

1. Workplace Safety Initiative Grants — bigger awards (up to $70,000 total per organization) to help launch or expand safety programs.
2. Workplace Safety Recognition Grants — smaller awards (up to $5,000) to support events or recognition programs that highlight and celebrate safety successes.

Why it matters

• Small budgets, big impact. Not every employer has the money to roll out a big training program or buy new safety resources. This grant helps fill that gap.
• Ideas that spread. Projects that work well can often be shared with other industries and communities across Utah.
• Community strength. By funding nonprofits, schools, and associations, the program helps build a broader culture of safety — not just in one company, but across the state.

Real-life examples

Here are a few ways the grant has been used in the past:

• Training for nonprofits. The Boys & Girls Club of Salt Lake City used grant money to provide safety training for staff and volunteers, helping them keep both employees and kids safe.
• New resources. The Utah Safety Council has expanded its media library, launched a workplace safety podcast, and even started a “Women in Safety” workgroup, all thanks to grant funding.
• Scholarships and recognition. Grants have also gone toward scholarships for safety training courses and award events that celebrate Utah’s workplace safety leaders.

These are just a few snapshots, but they show how versatile the program is. Whether it’s hands-on training, creative outreach, or celebrating safety wins, the grant helps turn good ideas into action.

What it can (and can’t) cover

The grant can be used for things like safety training, materials, specific equipment tied to a project, and recognition events. But there are some limits. For example, it can’t usually pay for new full-time staff, computers or TVs, out-of-state travel, or everyday business costs.