How OSHA Monitors and Controls Its New Directions Program

Gao ID: HRD-85-29 December 31, 1984

Pursuant to a congressional request, GAO provided information on how the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) ensures that funds under its new directions program are spent as intended, and the amount of funds received by each type of recipient and the percentage of those funds used for salaries and grant-related activities.

GAO found that 47 percent of the new directions grants, which are made to nonprofit organizations to enable them to develop occupational safety and health educational materials and programs, were awarded to labor organizations, 29 percent to educational associations, and 12 percent each to business associations and other nonprofit organizations. OSHA ensures that these grant funds are properly used by: (1) evaluating grant applications; (2) monitoring grantees; and (3) periodic audits by independent auditors. GAO also found that about 64 percent of federal new directions grant funds were budgeted for salaries and related fringe benefits and with a designated percentage of time for each person but that it was not practicable to determine the amount of time actually spent on grant activities.



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