COVID-19 Response (Part 1): What You Need to Know to Protect Your Crews

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Amidst the growing uncertainties surrounding the global pandemic, it’s critical that we do what we can to slow the spread of COVID-19—while at the same time attempt to maintain “business as usual” —with safeguards in place to better protect the safety and well-being of employees, trade partners, clients and the general public. The following recommended best practices, recently published by The Builder’s Association, are based on what is presently known about the coronavirus disease. As this issue progresses or recedes, the organization strongly recommends contractors stay current and immediately implement the most up-to-date best practices going forward. Personal responsibilities It … Read more

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Top 3: Strategies to Build a Safety Culture + Trends to Watch

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By Jack Cain It’s common knowledge construction is dangerous work. Over the years, the industry has built an extensive knowledge base consisting of safety do’s and don’ts. But when it comes to protecting people, it’s not enough to implement safety practices and post them on a wall. Today’s contractors must reinforce safety as the No. 1 priority by fostering a workplace culture that demonstrates care for its employees and their families, fellow craftspeople on the job and its customers. This can be accomplished by employing the following three strategies: 1) education and training, 2) implementing addiction and mental health support … Read more

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Responding to Opioids’ Impact on Construction Workers 

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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 … Read more

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FEMA Strengthens Construction Standards for Disaster Recovery

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The Federal Emergency Management Agency released an update on Dec. 20, 2019, to its Recovery Interim Policy FP-104-009-11, Consensus-Based Codes, Specifications and Standards for Public Assistance, Version 2.1, adding several International Codes , developed by the International Code Council, to the list of required Consensus-Based Codes, Specifications and Standards. The I-Codes requirements aim to advance national resiliency and reduce community risk before and after a disaster. The Public Assistance Program is FEMA’s largest grant program averaging $4.7 billion in assistance each year to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations. Through the PA program, following a federal declaration, … Read more

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CPWR Releases New Safety + Health Resources for the New Year 

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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, … Read more

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