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

July 2023

New Data Bulletin Examines Employment Costs

Employment costs provide a way to monitor the health

of the construction labor market and can help guide wage and benefit decisions to attract and retain workers. The July 2023 issue of CPWR’s Data Bulletin examines employment costs in construction through four different pay measures: the Employment Cost Index, compensation costs, average hourly earnings, and average hourly wage. From 2004 to 2022, average compensation cost--including wages/salaries and benefits--was higher for workers in private construction ($44.37/hour) than for those in all industries ($38.73). The interactive Income and Benefits dashboard now includes the latest data about employment costs. 

TOOLS FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH

Updates for Three Data Dashboards

In connection with this month’s Data Bulletin, CPWR’s Data Center has updated both the Construction Employment Trends and Construction Employment Projections dashboards. The first highlights employment trends by subsector, demographics, occupations, as well as showing the impact of the pandemic on the workforce. The second examines employment projections by state, subsector, and occupation. Also, the dashboard examining musculoskeletal disorders now covers 2011 to 2020 and breaks down the data by subsector and state.


Users Cite Value of Pre-Task Planning Checklist

Earlier this year CPWR published a Pre-Task Planning (PTP) Assessment Checklist to help practitioners evaluate and improve their PTP process. Based on research findings and input from industry experts, the checklist supports discussions about steps of work, hazards, and available controls. Responses have been very positive, as illustrated by this comment from a supervisor at an ENR 400 firm: “The guidance provided in the CPWR Checklist assists the crew supervisor in improving their plans and including the level of detail necessary to both ensure the work will be performed in a safe manner and provide enough detail to the craft performing the work.”


New Checklists Help Prevent Heat Injuries

To support those exposed to high temperatures during construction work, CPWR recently published two new checklists. The Overall Heat Illness Prevention Program Checklist helps employers create or improve their indoor and outdoor heat-related illness plans and the Daily Heat Illness Prevention Checklist helps management identify hazards and implement solutions on the job site. The checklists join our extensive collection of material – including Hazard Alert Cards, Toolbox Talks, and infographics – to improve safety for people working in the heat. Also, join today’s webinar (see below) with a representative from OSHA about its National Emphasis Program on preventing heat illness.


Preventing Dump Truck-related Injuries and Deaths During Construction - Guidance for Employers

Injuries from dump trucks led to the deaths of 809 construction and extraction workers from 2011 to 2020. Those operating dump trucks or working nearby are at risk of multiple hazards, including struck-by, tip-over from loss of vehicle control, crushing, electrical, and falls. This fact sheet from NIOSH gives employers and workers ways to recognize and avoid these hazards and prevent dump truck-related injuries and deaths at construction sites. Employers, contractors, and supervisors should take the lead in using these recommendations to help prevent dump truck-related deaths, injuries, and close calls.

RESEARCH NEWS

New Bibliography Compiles Research on Working in Heat

The latest addition to CPWR’s collection of annotated, interdisciplinary bibliographies of academic research on major topics in construction occupational safety and health examines the impact of heat on workers. It compiles more than 100 studies from North American and Europe that examine topics such as illnesses and fatality data and interventions. 

 

Participate in a Pilot Program on Preventing Struck-by Incidents

CPWR is recruiting general and specialty contractors to participate in a pilot planning program to prevent struck-by incidents. Learn more about the free program and how to participate by watching last month’s webinar, Struck by Hazards, Barriers, and Opportunities in the Construction Industry, or by emailing Grace Barlet at CPWR.

NEWS & EVENTS

Webinars

TODAY at 2:00 p.m. ET (1 hr.)

Outdoor and Indoor Heat-Related Hazards in Construction: A Q&A Session on OSHA’s National Emphasis Program

(Riesgos Relacionados con el calor en Exteriores e Interiores en la Construcción: Una Sesión de preguntas y respuestas Sobre el Programa Nacional de Énfasis de OSHA)


In April 2022, OSHA began a National Emphasis Program (NEP) aimed at protecting employees from heat-related hazards and resulting injuries and illnesses in outdoor and indoor workplaces. Since construction workers are among those with a high risk of heat exposure, CPWR has invited a representative of OSHA’s Directorate of Enforcement to answer the top questions about the NEP. In addition, CPWR and OSHA will both share a variety of resources for employers and workers to help increase awareness of heat hazards, signs and symptoms of heat-related illness, and methods of prevention.


Moderator:

  • Chris Trahan Cain, CIH, Executive Director, CPWR


Presenter:

  • Gary Orr, PE, CPE, Health Scientist, Directorate of Enforcement, OSHA


NOTE: A Spanish audio option will be provided through the use of a simultaneous translation service.

NOTA: Se proporcionará una opción de audio en español a través del uso de un servicio de traducción simultánea.


Click here to register and submit a question in advance.

Speaking Engagements

August 7-10, Indianapolis -- BCSP Research & Innovation Summit

August 9, 3:30 p.m. -- Addressing Underlying Causes of Work-Related Falls from Heights

  • Jessica Bunting, Research to Practice Program Director, CPWR
  • Thom Kramer, Program Development, LJB Inc.

CPWR in the News

New app focuses on disaster response and cleanup safety, Safety+Health Magazine, 7/5/23


‘No reason not to have it’: Why contractors equip jobsites with Narcan, Construction Dive, 7/6/23


The Power of Peer Support, The Ironworker, 6/5/23

Career Opportunities

CPWR has openings for four positions:



Visit our Career Opportunities page for instructions on applying.

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