New Data Bulletin and Data Dashboard Examine Heat-Related Injuries and Illnesses

Because their tasks often rquire prolonged physical exertion in hot or humid conditions, construction workers are disproportionately affected by heat stress. The August issue of CPWR’s Data Bulletin examines heat-related injuries and illnesses among the industry’s workers, and a new interactive Data Dashboard offers users the opportunity to examine these injuries in more detail by selecting filters. These resources show, among other things, that in 2023 more than 1 in 3 of all heat-related fatal injuries in the U.S. occurred among construction workers, with 15 fatalities and rate of 0.15 per 100,000 full-time equivalents (FTEs). From 2021 to 2022 (the most recent data), there were 620 construction workers with heat-related nonfatal injuries that resulted in days aways from work, with a rate of 0.4 per 10,000 FTEs.

Wednesday, August 13 at 12:00 p.m. Eastern (1 hour)

Talking About Suicide in Construction: Safe Messaging Guidelines

The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) has developed a guide to help trainers, presenters, peer supporters, members of the media, and others start a conversation around mental health. The guide provides key tips on safe messaging around suicide for the media, group trainings and discussions, and individual conversations with those who may be at risk, and is meant to be used alongside existing materials such as presentations, training modules, and research-based approaches to suicide intervention. The guide also includes a section on post-conversation self-care to address the emotional toll engaging in these conversations can take on us.

Join us in the lead up to National Suicide Prevention Month and Construction Suicide Prevention Week to learn more about safe messaging from CIASP’s Executive Director and CPWR’s Research to Practice Director. Our panelists will also highlight free CIASP and CPWR resources that can be used by contractors, trainers, safety and health professionals, peer supporters, and others interested in preventing and addressing suicide in the construction industry.

Moderator: Chris Trahan Cain, CIH, Executive Director, CPWR

Panelists:

• Sonya Bohmann, Executive Director, CIASP
• Jessica Bunting, MPH, Research to Practice Director, CPWR; Member, CIASP Board of Trustees

Click here to register and submit questions for our panelists in advance.

Wednesday, August 13 at 2:00 p.m. Eastern (1 hour)

Colorectal Cancer Screening Saves Former Worker Lives

The U.S. Department of Energy and its Former Worker Programs (including the CPWR-led Building Trades National Medical Screening Program) are partnering to host a public webinar that will provide information about the importance and impact of colorectal cancer screening in the medical screenings of former workers. The discussion will include:

• Risk factors and trends in colorectal cancer (CRC) screening
• Screening approaches and what happens if test is abnormal
• Impact of screening done via the FWP programs

Presenters:

• Marianne Cloeren, MD, MPH, Medical Director, Building Trades National Medical Screening Program (BTMed); Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Maryland School of Medicine
• John Dement, PhD, CIH, Industrial Hygiene and Epidemiologic Consultant, BTMed

Click here to register -- Register by August 13 at 1:00 p.m. ET

September 4, Cedarville, IA – Hawkeye on Safety Conference

Time TBD -- "Prevention of Heat-Related Illnesses and Injuries in Construction"

• Gavin West, MPH, Director, Health Research, CPWR, Title TBD

A fall-protection competent person could save your life, Plant Engineering, 7/1/25

Safely use cut-off saws, Safety+Health Magazine, 7/22/25



Workplace Mental Health at Risk as Key Federal Agency Faces Cuts, CBS News, 7/8/25

Safe + Sound Week Coming Next Week

Safe + Sound Week -- a key part of OSHA’s year-round campaign to encourage every workplace to have an effective safety and health program -- starts on Monday. Visit the campaign website to learn more.