Posted by Johann Nacario — December 6, 2024 — The MEMIC Safety Research Center recently announced its fourth annual call for proposals for workforce safety and health research grants. Researchers from U.S. higher education institutions can apply for grants of up to $30,000 to conduct studies aimed at preventing occupational injury and illness. Applications are due December 20, 2024.
In 2024, an Oklahoma State University research team received $30,000 from MEMIC for the development assessment of virtual reality training materials to enhance manufacturing and construction workers’ awareness of serious injury risks related to struck-by and caught-in-between equipment incidents. Image: MEMIC
MEMIC Group President & CEO Michael Bourque commented:
We are excited to continue advancing the program into its fourth year. MEMIC Safety Research Center grants are an opportunity for researchers to intensively examine workforce safety challenges, gain high-profile publicity for their work, and create positive change for the American workforce in partnership with MEMIC. Research generated by this program will be integrated with the work of expert MEMIC Loss Control professionals who are continuously implementing real-time safety solutions.
The Center, established in 2021, facilitates collaboration between MEMIC’s safety team, policyholders, and academic researchers to advance workforce safety innovation. The program’s success is exemplified by its most recent grant recipient, an Oklahoma State University research team awarded $30,000 in August 2024. Their project focuses on developing and assessing virtual reality training materials to enhance manufacturing and construction workers’ awareness of serious injury risks related to struck-by and caught-in-between equipment incidents.
Research topics
MEMIC’s site says it will consider funding any research that could lead to the prevention, mitigation, and/or reduction of occupational injuries and illnesses. Potential topics include:
- Preventing injuries through use of wearables or other interventional technologies;
- Preventing injuries through application of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, or predictive analytics;
- Understanding and preventing injuries from slips, trips and falls; or
- Reducing musculoskeletal injuries in hospitality, healthcare, construction, transportation or manufacturing industries.
Maryann Hoff, MEMIC senior vice president of Loss Control and Safety, emphasized the company’s commitment to workforce safety:
At MEMIC, we put safety first, and we believe that our commitment to creating opportunities to explore the advancement of workforce safety solutions is what sets us apart. Through the Safety Research Center, we fund research focused on preventing workforce injuries and illnesses. We are devoted to providing our policyholders with the latest industry-specific safety training and techniques. We aspire to take things a step further by leveraging technology and data to not only ensure compliance but also to improve the total health of workers. Our ultimate goal is to help organizations build sustainable safety cultures.
The MEMIC Group includes MEMIC Indemnity Company, MEMIC Casualty Company, and parent company Maine Employers’ Mutual Insurance Company; all rated “A” (Excellent) by A.M. Best. The MEMIC Group holds licenses to write workers’ compensation across the entire country. The group insures nearly 21,000 employers and their estimated 300,000 employees with dedicated safety and injury management service teams from Maine to Florida.
College and university research teams may submit proposals by December 20, 2024, for funding to be awarded in June 2025.
