A new report from CPWR and Dodge Data & Analytics, “Contractor Use of Best Safety Practices,” summarizes the results of two recent surveys that explored topics such as how frequently contractors engage in selected safety practices, differences between large-, small- and medium-sized contractors and use of Lean construction. In the case of Lean construction, the report found that familiarity with the concept has grown considerably. In 2013, when contractors were first surveyed about this concept, only 52% said they were familiar with Lean construction compared to 71% today. As shown in the accompanying chart, this report also found that contractors … Read more
CPWR Recognized for Innovation in Construction
Turner Construction Company and the National Building Museum have recognized that CPWR – the Center for Construction Research and Training has received the 2019 Henry C. Turner Prize for Innovation in Construction. The Prize recognizes CPWR—and in particular the work of Dr. Linda Goldenhar—for its efforts to promote and improve safety conditions for workers in the construction industry. Since 1990, CPWR, a nonprofit organization, has reached hundreds of thousands of workers every year through research, training and services. It provides vital safety and health resources to the construction industry, which have a positive impact on reducing occupational injuries, illnesses and … Read more
Improving Worker Safety and Health in the Building Industry
CPWR’s Exposure Control Database can help anticipate and control worker exposures to silica, welding fumes, lead and noise. This free online tool allows users to enter a construction task, proposed controls and other variables and obtain a predicted exposure level based on exposure data from trusted sources. A recorded webinar on the database will walk you through its features. January 2019 marks two years since CPWR’s Foundations for Safety Leadership training module was deemed worthy by OSHA to be used as an official elective for the OSHA 30-hour outreach training curriculum. FSL is a free, interactive training curriculum that instructors … Read more
Researchers Recommend Considering Occupational Exposures in Early Lung Cancer Detection Programs
Low-dose CT scans can save lives by identifying lung cancers at an early stage, when treatment is most likely to be effective. A newly published CPWR study, “Early detection of lung cancer in a population at high risk due to occupation and smoking,” validates the U.S. National Comprehensive Cancer Network recommendation that early lung cancer detection programs include both smoking and occupational exposures to define populations eligible for CT screening. The Building Trades National Medical Screening Program’s ELCD program screened 1,260 former construction workers, and researchers analyzed the results. This population included both heavy and light smokers who had been … Read more
Update on Nanomaterials in Construction: Epidemiology, Exposures and Awareness Webinar
When: 2 p.m. ET on Thursday, Dec. 13 (30 minutes) Who: Bruce Lippy, director or safety research, CPWR ; Gavin West, research analyst, CPWR; Laura Boatman, project coordinator, State Building and Construction Trades Council of California Engineered nanomaterials are an emerging hazard in multiple industries, including construction. This webinar will cover the latest efforts to address nanomaterial risks in a world being rapidly transformed by technology. After relying heavily on animal studies, recent epidemiologic research is providing new insight into potential health effects among workers. The speakers will also present CPWR’s latest research on nanomaterial exposure assessment and control, and … Read more