New federal funding will give Illinois added resources to reduce workplace injuries for more than 1 million public employees, including teachers, police officers and firefighters.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has awarded $1.5 million in federal matching grants to the Illinois Department of Labor for its worker safety plan.
OSHA currently provides similar funding to 26 other states for safety and health enforcement. Federal law allows states to establish plans that cover only state and local government employees, workers who are excluded from federal OSHA coverage.
In Illinois, the money will be used to hire inspectors and do more training about workplace safety.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
The federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration has awarded $1.5 million in federal matching grants to the Illinois Department of Labor for its worker safety plan.
OSHA currently provides similar funding to 26 other states for safety and health enforcement. Federal law allows states to establish plans that cover only state and local government employees, workers who are excluded from federal OSHA coverage.
In Illinois, the money will be used to hire inspectors and do more training about workplace safety.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.
