Transportation incidents are a leading cause of injuries in construction: in 2020 they accounted for 25% of fatalities among all workers and 4% of nonfatal injuries among private wage-and-salary workers. The CPWR Data Center examines transportation injuries in two new resources, the September Data Bulletin and the Transportation Injuries in the Construction Industry data dashboard. They show that more than 2,600 workers died from transportation incidents over the past 10 years, that collisions with other vehicles were the most common event for nonfatal injuries, and that pedestrian vehicular incidents were the most common type of fatal event. The dashboard provides data by year, subsector, and detailed events, as well as the ability to examine rates and median days away from work for nonfatal injuries.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month, which is especially relevant for construction: workers in our industry have one of the highest suicide rates in the country. Learn more about how to recognize the signs, start a conversation, and play a role in supporting friends, co-workers, and family members. The Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) offers a Suicide Prevention Month Toolkit, which includes a social media toolkit, toolbox talks, posters, CIASP QR codes, logos, and other resources for the month. CPWR’s materials include a Hazard Alert Card, a Toolbox Talk, and infographics, as well as this month’s webinar, Preventing Suicide in the Construction Industry -- see below for details.

To help address heat-related illnesses and deaths, the EPA launched a national competition to identify innovative and effective communication strategies that inform people of the risks of extreme heat and offer ways to keep safe during the hottest days. CPWR’s efforts -- which include an updated heat topic page, new infographics, and soon-to-be-published planning checklists to assist contractors and lead workers in protecting workers against heat hazards -- were recognized with an honorable mention.

Estimates suggest there may be as many as 16 million temporary workers in the U.S. during any given year. NIOSH and the NORA Services Sector Council -- in partnership with the American Society of Safety Professionals, the American Staffing Association, and the Safety and Health Assessment and Research for Prevention Program within Washington State’s Department of Labor and Industries -- have released a new set of best practices, Protecting Temporary Workers: Best Practices for Host Employers, to help host employers better protect the safety and health of temporary workers. 

High-risk Electrical Tasks and Contributing Work Factors. Babak Memarian, Sara B. Brooks, Jean Christophe Le, and Jerry E. Rivera. Professional Safety Journal, August 2022. Read the Key Finding and the full article.

Struck-by incidents continue to be a leading cause of death and injury in construction and are a serious hazard facing construction workers as they rebuild the nation's roads and bridges through projects supported by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. A new survey from CPWR: 1) explores struck-by injuries, barriers to their prevention, and ways to raise awareness and ensure use of safe practices; 2) describes measures being taken to protect workers and the barriers to implementing controls; and 3) offers insights into industry knowledge of struck-by hazards, the role of planning in prevention, and the motivators, resources, and support needed to prevent incidents.

For more information, including how to apply, visit the Small Study Program on CPWR’s website.

Researchers from the University of Massachusetts Lowell are looking for construction painters to participate in a study about minimizing exposure to hazardous Part B ingredients of reactive chemicals systems used in metal structure coatings. The researchers will be visiting workplaces to conduct field surveys, monitor airborne exposures and skin exposures, and collect biological samples to measure the effects of exposure and evaluate the efficacy of personal protective equipment and engineering controls. Participants will receive a $50 gift card for donating urine before and after the shift and an additional $50 for a blood sample. Contact [email protected] or [email protected] to learn more.

The Exposure Control Database (ECD), a free online tool that estimates your workers’ exposure to common health hazards, is expanding. If you have data that you are willing to share, please submit it to CPWR to make the ECD more accurate and reliable. If you have any questions, contact Sara Brooks ([email protected], 301-495-8532). The following sampling forms are available to submit measurements:

Thursday, September 8^th at 2:00 p.m. ET (1 hour)

Mental health is a growing concern in the construction industry. A 2020 report from the CDC shows that suicide among the U.S. working-age population is increasing, and that construction and extraction occupations have the highest rates of death by suicide of any occupational group. The first step in addressing this situation is talking about it. This webinar, taking place during National Suicide Prevention Month and Construction Suicide Prevention Week, features three panelists working on this topic: John Gaal, worker wellness director at the Missouri Works Initiative; Karena Lorek, area director of OSHA’s Kansas City Area Office; and Christopher Rodman, opioid projects coordinator at CPWR. Join us to learn more about the impact of suicide, signs and symptoms to be aware of, and contributing factors such as high rates of opioid use disorder. Panelists will also share information about efforts undertaken and available resources from CPWR, OSHA, Missouri AFL-CIO, the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), and others. Moderating the webinar will be Jessica Bunting, CPWR’s research to practice director and a board member at the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. 

At Brownfields conference, Worker Training grantees discuss Justice40, Environmental Factor, 9/1/22

Hearing impairment common among older and retired construction trade workers: study, Safety+Health, 8/24/22

Report ties worker falls to company policies, Construction Dive, 8/11/22

Visit our Career Opportunities page for instructions on applying.

September 14, Nashville -- 2022 Construction Risk Management Conference