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CPWR UPDATE
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August 2020
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From the Desk of Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director
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Data Bulletin Examines COVID-19's Impact on Workers and Businesses
 The COVID-19 pandemic has hit the construction industry hard, with nearly one million workers losing their jobs between March and April. The new issue of the CPWR Data Bulletin focuses on COVID-19's economic impact on the industry from March to June 2020, including job losses, business closures, and medical absences. Among the key findings: About 80% of small construction businesses experienced either a large or moderate negative impact; effects were disproportionately high for Hispanic workers and self-unincorporated workers; and absences from work due to personal medical reasons initially rose 70%. This issue also incorporates a new feature -- mouse-over definitions of important terms.
Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls -- September 14th-18th
 Rescheduled from this spring because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the 7th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls is now taking place September 14th-18th. The 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. 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. For access to materials, both for the Stand-Down and for the Campaign, visit stopconstructionfalls.com and use the online ordering form for hardhat stickers to recognize participation.
Safe + Sound Week Starts Monday
 Sound safety practices -- including management leadership, worker participation, and finding and fixing hazards -- are now more critical than ever. As construction companies work during the ongoing pandemic, a strong safety and health program 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 each year draws special attention to the topic. This year's Safe + Sound Week takes place next week, and you can register to participate on OSHA's website. The Safe + Sound website offers more information, including how to participate virtually or at a safe distance; CPWR's website provides related resources specific to the construction industry that can be used next week and throughout the year.
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TOOLS FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH
CPWR Launches Podcast Series
Stay informed and help keep construction job sites and workers safe with CPWR's new Construction Safety & Health podcast! Hear the latest research on safer tools, equipment, and work practices, on emerging hazards and solutions, and on new training programs -- and everything in between. If you work, manage, own, or operate within the construction industry, this is your podcast.
New Resources for Suicide Prevention
Construction occupations have one of the highest suicide rates in the country. CPWR is committed to developing and sharing resources to help organizations and individuals understand this issue, start a conversation, and play a role in supporting friends, co-workers and family members. As part of this crucial effort, CPWR has just posted a new Hazard Alert and a new Toolbox Talk; both are available in English and in Spanish.
COVID-19 Clearinghouse Continues to Add Resources
The CPWR COVID-19 Construction Clearinghouse has collected more than 200 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, email [email protected] Our staff will follow up to learn more.
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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.
Application of End-of-Shift Respirable Crystalline Silica Monitoring to Construction Projects. Martin Harper, Chang-Yu Wu, Chih-Hsiang Chien. CPWR Small Study, 2020. Read the Key Finding.
Impacts of Policy Changes on Worker Safety Outcomes in New York City Construction Sites. Maria C. Figueroa. CPWR Small Study, 2020. Read the Key Finding.
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Wednesday, August 12, 2020, 11:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. E.T.: Strategies to Build Support for Primary Prevention and Opioid Use Reduction in the Construction Industry
Knowing what to say about an issue, what to avoid, and why can foster more meaningful conversations with the public and increase people's support for policies and programs that address pressing social problems. CPWR has partnered with the FrameWorks Institute, which has been helping organizations and causes change how people think about social issues for 20 years, to develop recommendations for communicating effectively about primary prevention and opioid use in the construction industry.
Join us next week for a webinar exploring a set of strategies drawn from FrameWorks' research on relevant topics such as public health, substance use, and patient safety. Following opening remarks from Dr. John Howard, Director of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director of CPWR, two senior staff members from Frameworks will share recommendations from these previous studies, review the research behind them, and discuss how participants can use this knowledge in their own communications.
Thursday, August 13, 2020, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. E.T.: CPWR-NIOSH COVID-19 Webinar Series: Lessons from the Job Site - A Q&A Panel
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the construction industry is working together and sharing knowledge to keep job sites open and protect employees from exposure. During this hour-long question-and-answer panel, hear from senior staff members at four leading firms -- Cindy DePrater, Senior Vice President and Chief Environmental Health & Safety Officer at Turner Construction Company; Bob Kunz, Corporate Safety Director at Dimeo Construction Company; Jane Beaudry, Senior HSE Manager at Jacobs; and Rodd Weber, Corporate Safety Director at The PENTA Building Group -- to hear how they are responding to COVID-19 challenges.
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.
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