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Principal Investigator / Institution

Ashlee Fitch

Tel 412-562-2400
[email protected]

Program Description

United Steelworkers of America

The United Steelworkers’ Tony Mazzocchi Center (TMC) provides extensive training through its Trust in Training partnership involving over 2 million at-risk hazardous materials workers, chemical responders, and skilled support personnel.

The TMC partnership has an exceptionally large, at-risk population we have access to over 2 million workers spanning across the United States, including Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands. Together, the TMC partnership reaches workers in varied sectors who are exposed to hazardous substances/materials covered by OSHA Standard 29 CFR 1910, EPA 40 CFR 311, and DOT 49 CFR 171-177.

Hazardous Waste Worker Training Program (HWWTP)

Through the HWWTP, TMC will deliver training courses to reach workers, managers, community residents, and Tribal members to help prevent the release of hazardous substances, emergency incidents, life-altering injuries, sickness, and death. 

HAZMAT Disaster Preparedness Training Program (HDPTP)

The TMC Trust in Training partnership involves over 2 million at-risk hazardous materials workers, chemical responders, and skilled support personnel. TMC’s Specialized Emergency Response Trainers, (SERTs) will conduct training in Spanish, English, and American Sign Language, on disaster preparedness and emergency response for clean-up and recovery workers, and for community members facing massive human-made and natural weather-related disasters.

TMC aims to enhance its SERTs team, including strengthening the team with additional training to aid in disaster response efforts. TMC also aims to build local partnerships for proactive training and integrating mental health first aid into disaster preparedness programs. Furthermore, the Community Mapping Project aims to improve resource allocation and staff deployment efficiency, while new training will address updated Risk Management Program rules for handling hazardous chemicals, in collaboration with key occupational health and safety organizations.

NIEHS/U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Nuclear Worker Training Program

Years of collaboration with DOE and contractors has allowed TMC to identify training needs and hazardous conditions that DOE site workers face. Under the DOE program, TMC will deliver training to DOE site workers, Tribal members, and community residents. TMC is focused on developing a cadre of 70 worker trainers who will conduct a full range of health and safety courses required by DOE or otherwise needed by USW and Clean Water Act (CWA) DOE site workers and by Tribal Partners and community collaborators. 

In addition to the usual menu of classes, the TMC is focused on a new project – the Emerging Technology Working Group and Curriculum Team. This project will allow TMC to explore the impact of emergency technologies on the health and safety of DOE site workers and nearby communities. TMC’s team of 25 workers and experts aim to meet biannually to identify new technologies; develop pilot training programs on hazards and possible benefits of those technologies; and enhance the technical understanding of our DOE program worker trainers. TMC has access to 4,660 USW and CWA DOE site workers exposed serious hazards. TMC also reaches community members near DOE sites – this outreach includes various educational partnerships with the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla, Yakama and Nez Perce Tribal Councils.

Project Duration

  • August 1, 2025 - May 31, 2030 (HWWTP, ECWTP, HDPTP)
  • September 1, 2025 - July 31, 2030 (DOE)

Grant Numbers

  • U45 ES006175 (HWWTP, ECWTP, HDPTP)
  • UH4 ES009761 (DOE)

Other Participating Organizations