American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Bechtel Partner to Prevent Construction Worker Suicides

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The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and Bechtel recently entered a multiyear partnership dedicated to saving lives in the construction community lost to suicide. The new partnership will reach 500,000 U.S. construction workers over five years through industry-specific programs and resources developed by AFSP and Bechtel. The general contractor’s $7-million commitment to AFSP will fund the effort and is the largest-ever pledge received by AFSP. The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of any profession in the U.S. In fact, the number of suicides in the industry is nearly five times higher than the number of lives … Read more

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5th Annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents Coming in April

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National Work Zone Awareness Week 2024 will take place April 15-19, including the NORA Construction Sector Council’s fifth annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents. Any workplace can hold a stand-down by taking a break to focus on struck-by hazards and reinforcing the importance of training and prevention. Learn how to participate in the event and about this hazard — including resources to make workers safer — on CPWR’s Struck-by Hazards webpage. Also, CPWR is recruiting general and specialty contractors to participate in a pilot planning program to prevent struck-by incidents. Learn more about the free program and how to … Read more

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Beyond Physical Deterrents

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6 ways superintendents can help prevent jobsite theft By Janan Guillaume Construction theft is a serious problem that negatively impacts jobsite productivity and profitability. Based on recent FBI data, statistics show that almost 12,000 construction site thefts occurred in 2022, with loss estimates ranging from $300 million to $1 billion annually. Unfortunately, most stolen items are never recovered. While difficult to quantify, the total impact of construction theft is even greater when the hidden costs are considered, including jobsite delays and work stoppages. A study conducted by two East Tennessee State University professors and presented at the 2019 ACS International … Read more

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OSHA Switches from Traditional Hard Hats to Safety Helmets

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is replacing traditional hard hats used by its employees with more modern safety helmets to protect them better when on inspection sites. In 2020, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported head injuries accounted for nearly 6% of non-fatal occupational injuries involving days away from work. Almost half of those injuries occurred when workers came in contact with an object or equipment while about 20% were caused by slips, trips and falls. Dating back to the 1960s, traditional hard hats protect the top of a worker’s head but have minimal side … Read more

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Stay Compliant in 2024 + Beyond

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Navigating inspection, recertification standards for fall protection By Phil Jacklin In the challenging field of work-at-heights, compliance with inspection and recertification standards isn’t just about ticking boxes — it’s pivotal for ensuring worker safety and organizational resilience. And, as a superintendent, it’s important you’re in the loop about these vital regulations. Understanding fall protection inspection standards The following inspection standards are fundamental for maintaining equipment integrity and ensuring the safety of your crew on the jobsite. For this reason, many of these practices are required for compliance with consensus standards, including the ANSI/ASSP Z359 Fall Protection Code Package. In addition, … Read more

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