CPWR Releases New Safety + Health Resources for the New Year 

The start of a new year offers a great opportunity to find new ways to address ongoing hazards to construction workers. CPWR is supporting that work by adding to its collection of free resources that promote safety and health. The organization’s latest materials focus on:

• Solvents: A new Hazard Alert (in English and Spanish), Toolbox Talk (English, Spanish) and infographic all describe the hazards of these chemicals and how to protect workers.
• Isocyanates: A new Impact Card describes how a CPWR-funded researcher helped an occupied healthcare facility when spray polyurethane foam was installed.
• RF Radiation: At low levels radiofrequency radiation, the energy used to transmit wireless information, is not considered a hazard. However, at the levels produced by operating telecommunications antennae on rooftops or towers, RF radiation can be a considerable health risk. A new Hazard Alert (in English and Spanish) explains how to identify and guard against this danger.
• Suicide Prevention: Suicide is now a leading cause of death for off-the-job construction workers, and this collection of resources can help organizations and individuals understand the issue, start a conversation and support friends, co-workers and family members.
• Opioid Use: Construction workers are six to seven times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than workers in other professions. This webpage offers information about opioid deaths, prevention and how the construction industry can begin to address this crisis.
• Foundations for Safety Leadership: A new Impact Card highlights key features of this program, which teaches foremen critical leadership skills they can use on the jobsite to create a stronger safety climate.