Safety Risks in Commercial Construction Industry Exacerbated by Workforce Shortages

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The Q3 2018 USG Corporation + U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index indicates skilled labor shortages will have the greatest impact on commercial construction businesses over the next three years. The report revealed 88 percent of contractors expect to feel at least a moderate impact from the workforce shortages in the next three years with over half (57 percent) expecting the impact to be high/very high. The skilled labor shortage has been consistently identified as a major issue facing the industry, but it is now reported by 80 percent of contractors to be impacting worker and … Read more

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U.S. Department of Labor Posts New FAQs, Videos on OSHA Standard for Controlling Silica in Construction

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has made available online new frequently asked questions and training videos on the agency’s standard for respirable crystalline silica in construction. Developed by OSHA in cooperation with industry and labor organizations, the FAQs provide employers and workers with guidance on the standard’s requirements. In addition, a series of six new videos instruct users on methods for controlling exposure to silica dust when performing common construction tasks, or using construction equipment. The videos cover topics including handheld power saws, jackhammers, drills and grinders. Visit OSHA’s silica standard for … Read more

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Hazard Alert: Opioid Deaths in Construction

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More than 42,000 Americans died from opioid overdoses in 2016. An analysis of fatal opioid overdoses in Ohio showed that construction workers were seven times more likely than other workers to die this way. This is shocking and sad, and there are steps that those in the occupational safety and health community can take. While the CPWR agrees workplace injuries should be prevented with programs like its new Best Built Plans, construction workers continue to get hurt on the job and these injuries cause pain. Doctors routinely prescribe opioids for pain. The CDC reports that as many as one out … Read more

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New ‘Best Built Plans’ Program Can Help Reduce Strains, Sprains on Jobsite

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Manually lifting and moving heavy materials on jobsites can result in strain, sprain and related soft tissue injuries. These types of injuries are a leading cause of disabling injuries in the construction industry. Working with a community of practice that included researchers, insurers and industry stakeholders, CPWR’s Research to Practice and Training staff surveyed and interviewed contractors to understand the motivators and barriers to engaging in materials handling practices that would minimize the risks for these types of injuries. Based on their responses, CPWR developed a program, Best Built Plans, to provide contractors and workers with practical tools and information … Read more

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Steel Erectors Association of America Partners with Safe+Sound Campaign

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WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – The Steel Erectors Association of America is partnering with OSHA’s national Safe+Sound Campaign. The Safe+Sound Campaign encourages every workplace in the U.S. to have a safety and health program, a proactive approach to identifying and managing workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness. SEAA collaborated with OSHA in the development of a fact sheet for structural steel and precast concrete contractors. The fact sheet provides reminders of the potential hazards facing this industry, including falls, struck by incidents and lifting/lowering over exertion. The document also provides resources to help contractors address these hazards. Successful safety and … Read more

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