Transforming Jobsites to Improve Workers’ Health & Well-Being

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By Susan Heinking and Brandon Smrz According to a recent report from integrated real estate services firm Stok, “The Financial Case for High Performance Buildings,” the business case for high-performance buildings traditionally cites energy savings and increased asset value as the most appealing incentives. But another — and arguably greater — form of enhanced value creation that comes through HPBs is rarely discussed: HPBs benefit the people who occupy them, which in turn produce significant positive impacts on a company’s bottom line1.  If this is true for the buildings we construct, what about the jobsite trailers for construction superintendents and … Read more

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Today’s Best Practices with Construction Containment & Protection

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By Rachael Farr Construction containment methods are an important part of every type of construction, but are especially critical when performing addition or renovation work at healthcare facilities. In both instances, construction often occurs on active patient floors, within units or just feet away from patient rooms. No matter the scenario, the most important aspects of the work lie in the planning and communication of what is to come. On interior renovation projects, project teams can place communication boards on the outside of the construction barriers as a proactive measure with healthcare facility staff.From the outset of the project, the … Read more

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Researchers Recommend Considering Occupational Exposures in Early Lung Cancer Detection Programs

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Low-dose CT scans can save lives by identifying lung cancers at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to be effective. A newly published CPWR study, “Early detection of lung cancer in a population at high risk due to occupation and smoking,” validates the U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommendation that early lung cancer detection programs include both smoking and occupational exposures to define populations eligible for CT screening. The Building Trades National Medical Screening Program’s ELCD program screened 1,260 former construction workers, and researchers analyzed the results. This population included both heavy and light smokers who had been … Read more

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Update on Nanomaterials in Construction: Epidemiology, Exposures and Awareness Webinar

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When: 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 13 (30 minutes) Who: Bruce Lippy, director or safety research, CPWR ; Gavin West, research analyst, CPWR; Laura Boatman, project coordinator, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California Engineered nanomaterials are an emerging hazard in multiple industries, including construction. This webinar will cover the latest efforts to address nanomaterial risks in a world being rapidly transformed by technology. After relying heavily on animal studies, recent epidemiologic research is providing new insight into potential health effects among workers. The speakers will also present CPWR’s latest research on nanomaterial exposure assessment and control, and … Read more

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Webinar: Predicting Exposure to Hazards Using CPWR Exposure Control Database

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Predicting worker exposure to jobsite hazards, such as silica, has historically been a challenge in construction. The construction industry lacks a system to help health and safety practitioners predict exposure to hazards and implement effective controls accordingly. To bridge this gap, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training has developed an interactive, online Exposure Control Database that calculates exposure to four major hazards—silica, welding fumes, noise and lead—using prepopulated objective data. Join CPWR Exposure Control Technologies Research Director Babak Memarian and Industrial Hygienist Sara Brooks to learn more about CPWR’s Exposure Control Database and how to use it. … Read more

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