Research Participants Needed for Study on Heat Safety for Construction Workers

The multiple efforts to develop standards to address occupational heat stress emphasize that hazard’s impact on construction workers, which include increased risk of traumatic injuries like falls, decreased physical work capacity and life-threatening illness in the form of heatstroke.

CPWR has begun a study to better understand the impacts of heat stress and to develop effective strategies for managing it. Construction firms, preferably with active worksites in Maryland or the Washington, D.C. metro area, are invited to participate. Participants may choose to withdraw from the study at any time. Participation is voluntary and confidential.

Researchers will visit jobsites on two to three days during the summer to collect information about the implementation and impact of heat illness prevention plans. This will include:

• A kickoff meeting to introduce the study and outline the process
• A walk-through of the site to observe heat illness prevention practices
• Management interviews to learn about supervisors’ experiences, challenges and needs with heat safety
• Brief worker surveys to gather insights and experiences
• Wrap up meeting to report findings and answer questions.

Details related to scheduling, walk-throughs, safety procedures, etc. will be discussed prior to enrollment. For more details, visit https://www.cpwr.com/wp-content/uploads/RP-Heat_study_recruitment_flyer.pdf.