Responding to Opioids’ Impact on Construction Workers 

The construction industry has been hit particularly hard by opioids, with state-level studies finding that construction workers are 6-7 times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than workers in other professions. CPWR is playing a leading role in helping the industry respond to this danger, including two new resources:

• Training program, intended to be used by experienced NABTU instructors, that is designed to increase awareness of opioids and decrease stigma associated with opioid use. The training program is available now, launched in a beta version that is under evaluation. CPWR anticipates this program will be refined in the coming months, so it’s recommended that once downloaded, check back for improved versions.
• Latest Quarterly Data Report, which looks at overdoses on jobsites, the prevalence of prescribed opioid use and drug abuse and the association of work-related injuries with prescription opioid use. Among the findings: between 2011 and 2017, one in four construction workers with work-related injuries used prescribed opioid pain relievers.

Also, the CPWR website offers resources with information about preventing opioid use. This month’s webinar focuses on this crucial topic as well. It will be held from 2-3 p.m. Eastern Time, Thursday, Feb. 27. Register here.