New Data Bulletin, Data Dashboards Focus on Construction Worker Health

The January 2022 issue of CPWR’s Data Bulletin examines anxiety and depression among construction workers before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. The industry already suffers from an alarmingly high and increasing suicide rate, making it particularly important to understand workers’ mental health at this difficult time. In 2020, nearly one out of every six construction workers reported experiencing anxiety/depression, with a higher prevalence among those who were ages 18 to 34 (18%), female (24%), living below the poverty line (18%) or working part time (19%). The Bulletin also reveals that among workers surveyed in both 2019 and 2020, 43% reported … Read more

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Nominations Open for 2022 Liberty Mutual Award Safety Innovation Award in Construction

Nominations are now open for the 2022 Liberty Mutual Safety Innovation Award in Construction, which recognizes innovative approaches for reducing or eliminating hazards that lead to injuries and pain for construction workers. The nominated intervention can take many forms, including a new tool, an evidence-based technology, a new work practice or a novel safety and health program. It could also be a grassroots or media campaign focused on reaching smaller contractors or segments of the construction workforce at higher risk. Sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance in partnership with CPWR, the award includes a $15,000 cash prize for the winning individual … Read more

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ABC Unveils Safety Technology Guide

Associated Builders and Contractors has issued its online Safety Technology Guide, a resource for contractors looking to implement construction technology for the best possible safety performance. “Executing on ABC’s commitment to world-class safety on jobsites requires ABC member contractors to continuously innovate,” said Matt Abeles, ABC vice president of construction technology and innovation. “To keep contractors on the pulse of technology, ABC provides its members numerous resources like this guide to help them not only build the workforce of the future, but also ensure that they achieve optimal safety through the STEP Safety Management System, a world-class safety program founded … Read more

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Survey Says: Most Contractors Report Significant Flaws with Nation’s 811 Utility Location System

There are significant flaws with the current 811 utility location system according to a new survey of construction firms that perform any kind of underground excavation released by the Associated General Contractors of America. Most contractors say that calling 811 often leads to inaccurate line marking and that utility firms are often very slow in coming out to even do locate and mark their underground lines. “Construction firms are doing their part to avoid hitting utility lines, but the current 811 system appears to be badly flawed,” said Stephen E. Sandherr, the association’s CEO. “Fixing the 811 system will go … Read more

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Contractor Wins AGC Innovation Award for Developing Virtual Reality Safety Training Program

Chicago, Illinois-based Pepper Construction was named the most innovative construction firm in the country for developing a virtual reality safety training program by leveraging tools and staffing resources that were already in place to create a “real life” safety learning environment. As a result, Pepper Construction was named as the grand prize winner of the AGC Innovation Awards, sponsored by Autodesk. Through collaboration between the safety and virtual technology department, the Pepper team developed a virtual training program by customizing it using its statistics reinforced with industry data with an option to make changes as the data evolved. This process … Read more

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