Email from CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training

CPWR UPDATE

From the Desk of Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director

February 2025

Data Bulletin Focuses on Aging Workers

As labor shortages continue in construction, it becomes even more important for the industry to monitor its number of aging workers, who may need additional support to stay in their jobs and/or may be considering retirement. The February 2025 CPWR Data Bulletin examines this group, as well as participation in retirement plans, a fringe benefit that can be an important factor in attracting and retaining workers. The Data Bulletin found that from 2011 to 2023, construction workers’ average age increased from 41.6 to 42.1 years, and that in 2023, 26.4% participated in a retirement or pension plan, compared to 34.3% of workers overall.

TOOLS FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH

Infographic Highlights the Importance of Proper PPE Fit

CPWR has just posted a new infographic about how to make sure personal protective equipment fits. It offers guidance on protection from the head to the hands, including equipment like hardhats, goggles, and flame-resistant clothing. It joins other resources that address a widespread problem in the industry: PPE that does not fit properly will not adequately protect against workplace hazards and may even create new hazards.

Later this month NABTU and CPWR will publish the fourth issue of our newsletter to help the construction industry prevent suicides and deaths from opioids -- REASON (Resources and Effective programs Addressing Suicides and Opioids Now). Each issue of REASON provides solutions, important research, and free resources that highlight these issues and the positive steps being taken to address them. Read past issues and subscribe now.

'24 Falls Stand-Down Report Published

CPWR’s evaluation of the last year’s National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction is now available. Falls remain the leading cause of death in construction, and the Stand-Down brings together employers, workers, safety associations, labor unions, and others to take action to prevent them. The Stand-Down continues to have wide reach: in 2024, over 400,000 workers were involved in nearly 4,000 events. Read the 2024 report and watch for news on the 2025 event coming this May.

RESEARCH NEWS

Development of a Rule-based Safety Checking System for Autonomous Heavy Construction Equipment. Kyungki Kim, CPWR Small Study, 2024. Read the full report and the Key Finding.

Small Study Grant Funding Reopens

CPWR’s Small Study Program provides up to $30,000 to investigate promising research and practical initiatives. We are currently giving priority to studies aimed at:

Reaching high-risk groups, including small employers (those with 19 or fewer employees), vulnerable workers, and those in residential and light commercial construction.
Developing interventions that can be immediately applied on the job.
Engaging stakeholders in partnerships that identify and overcome barriers to adopting good practices.
Translating research into practice and ensure widespread dissemination.
Promoting proven safety practices to small employers for immediate impact.

A study may be proposed at any time and we are happy to discuss ideas prior to official submission. For more information, including how to apply, visit the Small Study Program on CPWR’s website.

NEWS & EVENTS

Webinars

Work Should Not Hurt! A participative ergonomics program from New Zealand

Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 3:00 p.m. ET (1 hour)

Join Kiwi construction ergonomists Chris Polaczuk and Dr. Steve Kolose for a look at their Work Should Not Hurt program -- an innovative safety and health program from New Zealand that is centered on the worker. The program, focused on ergonomics, is unique in that it generates awareness, research and interventions from tradespeople themselves. Learn about the library of resources, participatory research guiding the project, and how the program has been used in New Zealand to take on soft tissue injuries in an industry with a macho culture.

Presenters:

Chris Polaczuk, Ergonomics Programme Manager, Construction Health and Safety NZ
Steve Kolose, PhD, Principal Ergonomist, Construction Health and Safety NZ

Click here to register and submit questions in advance

SAVE THE DATE

Tuesday, March 25, at 2:00 p.m.

New Research on Mental Health & Construction

Hear from the leaders of three new research studies CPWR supported as part of our work to reduce suicide and opioid overdoses among construction workers.

Click here to register and submit questions in advance

Preventing Overexertion Injuries by Reducing Manual Materials Handling in Construction

Thursday, March 6 at 2:00 p.m. ET (hosted by OH&S Magazine)

Overexertion injuries caused by manually lifting and moving heavy materials are common among construction workers. Join this webinar to learn more about recent data trends on overexertion and musculoskeletal disorders in construction, as well as CPWR’s Best Built Plans Program, which provides free resources to help contractors plan at each project stage to reduce the risk for overexertion injuries caused by manual materials handling.

Presenters:

Amber Trueblood, Director, Data Center, CPWR
Grace Barlet, Research Analyst, Research to Practice Program, CPWR

CPWR in the News

How to comply with OSHA’s new PPE standard, Construction Dive, 1/16/25

Beyond Hard Hats: Mental Struggles Become the Deadliest Construction Industry Danger, KFF Health News, 1/14/25

How do construction workers get exposed to PFAS? UMass Lowell lands $600K to find out, WickedLocal.com (MA), 12/27/24

Partner News

Construction Management Program for Construction Tradespeople

CPWR research found that one career path for older construction workers with work-related pain and disability is to stay in the industry in jobs like estimating, scheduling, or management. NABTU has now expanded its partnership with Rowan University to help prepare members for jobs in construction management. In addition to its established bachelors’ degree, Rowan now offers a Construction Management certificate program to trades professionals who are looking to develop the leadership and technical skills needed to plan, execute, monitor, and control the construction process. Conducted entirely online, the program enables students to earn three stackable certificates that collectively fulfill core bachelor’s requirements in construction management, and they can receive credit for prior experiences and college-level skills developed outside the classroom. NABTU members receive a reduced tuition rate, and the Trades Futures program provides some first-year union member students with scholarship funds. Learn more at go.rowan.edu/stackablecertificates.