Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) Program

The Safety Intervention Grant (SIG) is administered by the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) as part of its broader safety services to help reduce workplace injuries and illnesses across Ohio. This program is available to private and public employers who are covered by the State Insurance Fund. The SIG program enables employers to implement safety interventions, primarily in the form of equipment purchases, designed to significantly reduce or eliminate specific workplace hazards. The primary objective of this grant is to foster safer working conditions by financially supporting the adoption of proven safety measures and technologies. The SIG offers a 3-to-1 matching grant for eligible employers, providing up to $40,000 over a three-year eligibility cycle. Employers contribute one dollar for every three dollars granted by BWC. This match-funded approach encourages meaningful employer investment in safety while extending the impact of public funding. The grant can only be used for the purchase of ergonomic, safety, or industrial hygiene equipment aimed at mitigating high-risk operations. Expenses such as salaries, labor, external consultants, or application preparation are not permitted under this funding. Purchases must be completed within 90 days of grant disbursement, and recipients must return any unused funds. To be eligible, applicants must be Ohio-based private or public taxing district employers with active State Insurance Fund coverage for at least one year, with no more than a 40-day lapse in the past 12 months. Employers must also be current on all BWC obligations, demonstrate the need for safety intervention, and provide at least one year of baseline data. The grant excludes sole proprietors with elective coverage, self-insuring employers, state agencies, and state universities. Notably, employers in Professional Employer Organization (PEO) arrangements must show that the task involves employees directly under their own BWC policy to qualify. The application process requires a pre-review by a BWC safety field consultant, who will assist with the application and conduct a pre-assessment of the intervention area. Applicants must submit a complete online application, a signed Statement of Agreement, a signed budget page, vendor quotes (three quotes or one with a sole source justification), and the consultant’s pre-assessment report. All items must be employer-specific, dated, and include vendor contact details. If the application is incomplete after 45 days, it will be returned. Fast-track applications may be available for frequently approved interventions like patient lifting devices. Following submission, the BWC review committee evaluates each application. The assigned grant coordinator checks eligibility, verifies payroll data, and ensures consistency between the application and supplier information. If approved, employers receive a grant award via the Ohio Administrative Knowledge System (OAKS), typically within six weeks. The intervention must be implemented within 90 days, and detailed proof of purchase, including invoices and cleared payment records, must be submitted within 120 days. A follow-up one-year case study report is required within 30 days of the one-year mark. Contact for general inquiries about the Safety Intervention Grant Program includes the Safety Services Safety Grant Programs Office, reachable at 1-614-466-1320 or 1-800-644-6292, and by email at SafetyGrants@bwc.state.oh.us. Applicants are advised to consult with their assigned safety field consultant and review unapproved items before applying. Recipients should also be aware that their organization name and awarded grant amount will be publicly listed on the BWC website, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code requirements.

Include one-year baseline data, use at least 120-day valid quotes, consult a BWC safety field consultant, and avoid applying for minimum OSHA compliance equipment.