CPWR UPDATE
From the Desk of Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director
August 2021
Data Dashboards Allow Exploration of Key Issues
CPWR’s Data Center has just posted two more interactive Data Dashboards: one on Construction Focus Four fatal injuries, the other on severe injuries. They join two dashboards launched earlier this year, on fatal injuries and COVID-19 vaccinations; the latter now features data from June and the first two weeks of July. Regularly updated, all the dashboards provide users access to more detailed and timely data and to more flexible charts than ever before. They continue the mission of the Construction Chart Book, helping stakeholders understand and respond to trends in the construction industry. Also, learn more about the dashboards from this month's webinar, which is described below.
TOOLS FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH
New Toolbox Talks, Revised Infographic
Posted now on our website are three resources to improve safety and health on the job site. New Toolbox Talks cover planning a lift and tower crane safety, and an updated infographic offers guidance in working safely around a hatch. As with all CPWR’s materials, they are available for free.

Safe + Sound Week Takes Place Next Week
CPWR is proud to be an organizing partner in OSHA's Safe + Sound Campaign -- a year-round, nationwide effort to raise awareness of the value of workplace safety and health programs. Every workplace should have a program that includes management leadership, worker participation, and a systematic approach to finding and fixing hazards. Each August, Safe + Sound Week recognizes the successes of workplace safety and health programs and offers information and ideas on how to keep America's workers safe.  This year's Safe + Sound Week will take place next week, August 9-15. Check out CPWR’s Safe + Sound page for construction-specific resources and the Safe + Sound website for more information and ways to participate virtually or at a safe distance in person.
RESEARCH NEWS
Share Your Exposure Measurements
If you have exposure measurements for silica, welding fumes, lead, or noise, CPWR needs your help!

The Exposure Control Database (ECD), a free online tool that estimates your workers’ exposure to common health hazards, is expanding. If you have data that you are willing to share, please submit it to CPWR to make the ECD more accurate and reliable. If you have any questions, contact Sara Brooks ([email protected], 301-495-8532) with any questions. The following sampling forms are available to submit measurements:

Small Study Grant Funding Available
Our Small Study Program, which supports promising new research initiatives on improving construction safety and health, has a particular interest in studies that plan to work with and/or target small employers. We define small employers as those with 19 employees or fewer. We are giving priority to funding studies aimed at:
 
  • Reaching high-risk populations: small employers, vulnerable workers, residential and light commercial construction firms
  • Developing applicable, practical interventions
  • Engaging stakeholders, through partnerships and other means, to better understand the barriers to and motivators for adoption of best practices
  • Addressing emerging issues and exploring new technologies
  • Evaluating promising research translation products and dissemination strategies
  • Disseminating good practices to small employers
 
We are also interested in innovative approaches to reducing the spread of COVID-19 through ventilation, distancing, and respirators. A study may be proposed at any time and can receive funding of up to $30,000. For more information, including how to apply, visit the Small Study Program on CPWR’s website.
NEWS & EVENTS
Webinars
Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 2:00 p.m. ET -- New CPWR Data Dashboards: Interactive Data Visualization Tools
To respond to the quickly changing construction industry and support construction stakeholders, CPWR’s Data Center is publishing a series of interactive data dashboards that will provide users with access to more detailed information and flexible charts than ever before. In addition to categories covered in the Construction Chart Book -- such as the industry and workers, hazards and exposures, and injuries and illnesses -- the dashboards examine a wider variety of topics related to the safety and health of construction workers, including emerging issues such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about currently available and upcoming dashboards and how to use them during this hour-long webinar with four staff members of Data Center: Director Sue Dong, Assistant Director Amber Trueblood, Research Analyst Samantha Brown, and Research Assistant William Harris.
 

CPWR’s webinar platform limits registration to 1,000 people. If you do not think you'll be able to attend live, please watch the recording of the webinar – all our webinars are available on-demand within a few days of their presentation.
CPWR in the News
Career Opportunities
CPWR has an opening for a Training Specialist -- visit our Career Opportunities page for instructions on applying.
Speaking Engagements

Exposure evaluation for former nuclear workers: the BTMed Approach
  • John Dement, Duke University School of Medicine

Sign up to receive information about the series, including how to register.