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Xiuwen (Sue) Dong, DrPH
CPWR
Ph: 301-578-8500 ext.8528
Email: sdong@cpwr.com
Year One:
The CPWR Data Center has embarked on a new longitudinal study of construction worker safety and health from the time workers enter the industry through retirement. Year One focused on older workers, age 55 and over.
Aging Workforce during the Economic Downturn
The average age of construction workers jumped during the economic
downturn, from 39.6 years in 2007, to 41.4 years in 2009.
This trend corresponds to the considerable decline in Hispanic construction workers, who tend to be younger, as a significant proportion of the construction workforce.
Chronic Diseases and Functional Limitations among
Older Construction Workers
This longitudinal analysis found that:
Working primarily in construction trades exacerbates the usual decline in overall health, increasing likelihood of functional limitations, arthritis, back problems, chronic lung disease, and stroke in later years. The gap in these health problems between construction trade workers and white-collar workers increases over time. These findings will be published by the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine.
Fatal Falls among Older Construction Workers
This study found that:
The rate of work-related deaths steadily increases with age. In 11 out of 14 construction occupations, the risk of fatal falls is significantly higher in workers age 55+ than in younger workers. The fatal fall rate for older roofers (the highest risk occupation) was 60.5 per 100,000 full-time equivalents (FTEs), nearly triple the rate of 23.2 per 100,000 FTEs for younger roofers (under age 55). Falls from roofs accounted for nearly one-third of construction fatal falls overall, but falls from ladders caused a larger proportion of deadly falls in the older decedents than in the younger group.
Research Team: Xuanwen Wang, PhD, Christina Daw, PhD.
Abstract:
This study will analyze two nationally representative longitudinal surveys - the 1979 cohort of the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY79), and the Health and Retirement Study (HRS). While the NLSY79 covers the teenage to middle-aged years, the HRS covers workers’ lives near and after retirement. Both of the surveys collect detailed information on work history, demographics, socioeconomic status, and health (e.g., work-related injuries). The HRS also includes a special module for “Occupational Injuries” which collects information on OSHA inspections at job sites and certain workplace exposures. In addition, these two surveys are designed to collect information on the general population. Thus, we will be able to examine work-related injuries and illnesses in self-employed workers, retired workers, and other workers who are excluded or underrepresented in current BLS injury and illness reports and workers’ compensation systems. Key determinants and findings from this study will serve as an evidence-based guide to preventions and interventions to minimize chronic diseases and disabilities within the construction workforce, and improve Working Life Expectancy (WLE) starting from an early age. The outcomes will also highlight the benefits of safer and healthier work environments and behaviors, and promote a safety and health culture in the construction industry.
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