CPWR UPDATE
July 2020
From the Desk of Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director

New Date: Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls, September 14th-18th

The  7th National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls, postponed from its original May date due to the coronavirus pandemic, has been rescheduled for the week of September 14th-18th!  
 
The annual Stand-Down is part of the OSHA-NIOSH-CPWR Campaign to Prevent Falls in Construction and serves as an opportunity to pause and re-focus on falls -- one of the leading causes of death in construction. 
 
This year, we encourage employers and workers to participate virtually or with social distancing measures on job sites. In support of the event, CPWR is working with OSHA and NIOSH to develop activities and materials to facilitate safe stand-downs, such as videos and webinars that can be viewed from anywhere and easy-to-share infographics like the one pictured For access to new materials as they become available, as well as relevant resources developed throughout the Campaign, visit stopconstructionfalls.com  and use the  online ordering form  for hardhat stickers to recognize participation.

Safe + Sound Week is August 10-16

Sound safety practices such as management leadership, worker participation, and finding and fixing hazards are now more critical than ever. As construction companies continue or restart work during the ongoing pandemic, having a strong workplace safety and health program in place can help contractors and workers address job site hazards, including those related to COVID-19.
 
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. While the Campaign is ongoing, one week is set aside each year to draw attention to this topic. This year's Safe + Sound Week will take place August 10-16, and  registration will open July 6. Visit https://www.osha.gov/safeandsound/ for more information and ways to participate virtually or at a safe distance in person and /safeandsound for resources to use during Safe + Sound Week and throughout the year.

Remembering Dr. Eula Bingham

We at CPWR were deeply saddened to learn of the recent death of Dr. Eula Bingham. Throughout her pioneering 70-year career in occupational safety and health, Dr. Bingham was an exceptional colleague and a remarkable, relentless advocate for working people.  Read an appreciation of her extraordinary career and commitment  and watch her talk in 2016 about her work .
TOOLS FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH

Preventing Silica Exposure in Enclosed Cabs
Workers in construction or surface mining who operate mobile equipment can be exposed to dangerous levels of silica dust. Three new resources on our website can help protect workers in enclosed cabs from silica exposure:
  • Hazard Alert Card -- Protect Workers from Silica Dust: Working in an Enclosed Cab. This card is available online (English and Spanish) and also in English as a pocket-size card. 
  • Toolbox Talk -- Prevent Exposure: Silica Dust in Enclosed Cabs. For use on job sites, it can be downloaded in English and Spanish.  
  • Dealer/Rental Fact Sheet -- "Heavy Equipment with Enclosed Cabs: Do Your Customers Need to Comply with OSHA's Silica or MSHA's Dust Standards?" This document is designed to help those renting or selling equipment understand the requirements in the OSHA and MSHA standards so they can best advise their customers. Available in English and Spanish.
COVID-19 Clearinghouse Continues to Add Resources
The   CPWR COVID-19 Construction Clearinghouse now offers more than 160 resources to help the construction industry respond to the pandemic. This free online collection addresses crucial topics such as Guidance on Workplace Practices, Personal Protective Equipment, State and Local Requirements, Training Resources, and more. To suggest additions to the Clearinghouse, particularly innovative practices and equipment being used on job sites to prevent the spread of COVID-19, please  email us at [email protected]. Our staff will follow up to learn more. 
RESEARCH NEWS

Small Study Program Offers Funding Opportunities
Our Small Study Program provides researchers funding of up to $30,000 to investigate promising new research initiatives in areas like research to practice, emerging issues, safety culture, and reaching high-risk sectors. Many CPWR Small Studies grant recipients have gone on to publish findings and expand their research with larger projects.   Learn how to apply and see the results from previous Small Study-funded research.
 
Designing Occupational Safety and Health Training Materials for Clear Communication 
Clayton Sinyai, Grace Barlet. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 2020.  Read the Key Finding.
 
Efficacy of text messaging apprentices to reinforce ergonomics and safety voice training 
Laurel D. Kincl, Jennifer A. Hess, Douglas L. Weeks, Amelia Vaughan, Dan Anton. Journal of Safety Research, 2020.  Read the Key Finding
 
Using Unmanned Aerial Systems for Automated Fall Hazard Monitoring in High-rise Construction Projects   
Masoud Gheisari, Behzad Esmaeili, Jana Kosecka, Abbas Rashidi. CPWR Small Study, 2020. Read the Key Finding and the full report

NEWS & EVENTS
Webinars

TOMORROW at 2:00 p.m. E.T. :  COVID-19 Webinar Series: Safety in Action - An Example from the Job Site
As work continues and starts up across the country, construction employers, unions, and other industry stakeholders are looking for ways to prevent the spread of the disease on job sites.  Join this webinar for updates from G. Scott Earnest, Associate Director for Construction in Office of Construction Safety and Health at NIOSH, Scott Ketcham, Director of the OSHA Directorate of Construction, and Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director of CPWR, about how their organizations are responding.  Then hear from Matt Eleazer, President of BAC Local 1 Oregon/Washington/Idaho/Montana and a member of the Oregon COVID-19 Joint Construction Safety Task Force, about the work of the Task Force and examples of steps his Local and signatory contractors are taking to ensure his members are able to work safely.
 

The next webinar in this series will examine "Contact Tracing -- How it's done, and how you can help." It  will take place Thursday, July 16, and registration is now open
 
Please be aware that the webinar platform only supports 1,000 people attending live; however, everyone who registers for an event will automatically receive the recording.

Miss our last webinar?  See the complete list of past webinars and listen to the recordings.
CPWR in the News
Bulletin Examines COVID-19, Health Disparities among Construction Workers Construction Superintendent News, June 10, 2020
 
 
Workplace Material Handling and Safety: Safety in Construction - Articles about the Best Built Plans Ergonomics Training Program, Work Zone Safety, and Trench Safety
Career Opportunities
CPWR has job openings -- visit our Career Opportunities page for current postings and instructions on applying.






newer to use
CPWR