Construction workers have the highest overdose death rate and the second highest suicide death rate of any U.S. industry. Those two issues are key elements of the September 2024 edition of CPWR’s Data Bulletin, “Mental Health Trends in the Construction Industry,” which also examines topics such as anxiety, depression, serious psychological distress, seeing a mental health professional and medication use. In 2021, 15.4% of construction workers reported, based on symptoms or medication, having anxiety or depression, and in 2022, there were 17,100 overdose and 5,200 suicide deaths among those usually employed in the construction industry.
5th Annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents Coming in April
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
Research Projects Focus on Preventing Suicide and Opioid-Related Deaths in Construction
In January 2023, CPWR invited proposals from construction professionals and researchers across the U.S. to tackle the issue of suicide and opioid-related deaths in the construction sector. Nineteen proposals were submitted and reviewed by experts, resulting in five projects receiving $50,000 each from a private donor. The evaluation of programs and interventions for their efficacy and scalability was a top priority in the selection process. The researchers will report on their findings in 2024. Evaluating the Implementation and Effectiveness of New Peer-Support Programs in Two Building Trades Unions — Washington University in St. Louis The Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers … Read more
Winner Announced for 2022 Liberty Mutual Safety Innovation Award in Construction
The finalists for the 2022 Liberty Mutual Safety Innovation Award in Construction were announced at CPWR’s annual Research to Practice Seminar and Workshop in June. The award — sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance and administered by CPWR — recognizes innovative Evidence-Based technologies, work practices and programs (interventions) designed to reduce or eliminate construction hazards that lead to injuries and pain in the construction industry. The winner receives a $15,000 cash prize and a plaque; two honorable mentions also receive a plaque. Applications for the 2023 Liberty Mutual Safety Innovation Awards in Construction will open later this year. For background, read … Read more
3rd Annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents Takes Place April 11-15
This year’s Struck-by Stand-Down, organized by the NORA Construction Sector Council Struck-by Work Group, is expanding from a one-day event to a full week of activities to coordinate with National Work Zone Awareness Week. As the Stand-Down has grown, its topics have increased to include not only work zone safety, but also lift zone safety, heavy equipment, dropped objects and other sources of struck-by injuries. During the Stand-Down, CPWR and the Struck-by Work Group will host a series of webinars covering relevant topics. 1 p.m. ET April 11 – Preventing Struck-by Incidents in Roadway Work Zones 3 p.m. ET April … Read more