Construction Input Prices Rebound in July, Says ABC

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Construction input prices expanded 0.8% in July but are down 0.6% year-over-year, according to a recently released Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices also increased 0.8% for the month but have declined 0.3% on a year-ago basis. Much of the year-over-year decline can be explained by plummeting energy prices, including crude petroleum (-20.3%), natural gas (-31%) and unprocessed energy materials (20.9%). The prices of softwood lumber (-19.5%) and iron and steel (-11.1%) are also down significantly since July 2018. “The decline in construction input prices over … Read more

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OSHA Requests Information on Table 1 of Silica Standard for Construction

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration is requesting information and comment on Table 1 of the agency’s Respirable Crystalline Silica Standard for Construction. OSHA seeks information on additional engineering and work practice control methods to effectively limit exposure to silica for the equipment and tasks currently listed on Table 1. The agency is also requesting information about other construction equipment and tasks that generate silica that it should consider adding to Table 1, along with information about their associated engineering and work practice control methods. In addition, OSHA is seeking comments about whether to revise paragraph (a)(3) … Read more

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Alliance Renewed between OSHA, CPWR

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The U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and CPWR-The Center for Construction Research and Training continue to recognize the value of maintaining a collaborative relationship to foster safety and health practices and programs to improve American workplaces. To that end, OSHA and CPWR renewed the Alliance signed Jan. 11, 2017 with a continued emphasis on reducing construction-related injuries, illnesses and fatalities and supporting OSHA’s priority initiatives. Specifically, both organizations are committed to providing construction workers, employers and others, including members of other construction alliances and the public with information, guidance and access to safety and health research … Read more

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Safe + Sound Week Begins August 12

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CPWR is a partner in the Safe + Sound Campaign, a nationwide effort to raise awareness of the value of workplace safety and health programs. These programs can identify and manage workplace hazards before they cause injury or illness, improving sustainability and the bottom line. Participating in Safe + Sound Week—taking place August 12-18—can help start a new health and safety program, energize an existing one or recognize your safety successes. Last year, more than 2,700 businesses of all sizes made this commitment to improving worker safety and health. For construction-specific resources, including hardhat stickers, visit CPWR’s Safe + Sound … Read more

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Quarterly Data Report Analyzes Construction Falls  

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The new Quarterly Data Report focuses on falls, which remain the most common cause of fatal injuries in the construction industry. In 2017, 389 workers died from falls, 367 from falls to a lower level. Encouragingly, the rate of fatal falls showed signs of decreasing among roofers, the occupation with the highest risk of falls, and among construction laborers, the largest occupation in the industry. Small employers (those with fewer than 20 employees) accounted for 75% of fatal falls between 2015 and 2017, despite making up only 39% of construction payroll employment. The rate of nonfatal falls trended downward between … Read more

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