Responding to Opioids’ Impact on Construction Workers 

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The construction industry has been hit particularly hard by opioids, with state-level studies finding that construction workers are 6-7 times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than workers in other professions. CPWR is playing a leading role in helping the industry respond to this danger, including two new resources: Training program, intended to be used by experienced NABTU instructors, that is designed to increase awareness of opioids and decrease stigma associated with opioid use. The training program is available now, launched in a beta version that is under evaluation. CPWR anticipates this program will be refined in the … Read more

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CPWR Releases New Safety + Health Resources for the New Year 

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The start of a new year offers a great opportunity to find new ways to address ongoing hazards to construction workers. CPWR is supporting that work by adding to its collection of free resources that promote safety and health. The organization’s latest materials focus on: Solvents: A new Hazard Alert (in English and Spanish), Toolbox Talk (English, Spanish) and infographic all describe the hazards of these chemicals and how to protect workers. Isocyanates: A new Impact Card describes how a CPWR-funded researcher helped an occupied healthcare facility when spray polyurethane foam was installed. RF Radiation: At low levels radiofrequency radiation, … Read more

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CPWR to serve as NIOSH National Construction Center

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CPWR’s selection to again serve as the NIOSH National Construction Center has provided the opportunity to continue conducting applied research that improves construction worker safety and health. Included in this work are 13 new multi-year research projects — seven led by university-based research partners and six by CPWR staff. Some build off previous research, on topics such as manual materials handling, isocyanates and nanotechnology; others head in new directions, such as promoting safety and health for women construction workers through mentorship and evaluating exoskeletons. Learn more.

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Upcoming CPWR Webinar: Lessons from a Contractor

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CPWR is hosting a 30-minute webinar at 2 p.m. Eastern Time on Tuesday, Nov. 19, titled Lessons from a Contractor: How to Use and Apply CPWR Resources. In this 30-minute webinar, UCOR Integrated Safety Management Program Lead Libby Gilley will talk about how UCOR has utilized and built off CPWR resources, training programs and campaigns to improve the safety and health of its workers. UCOR is a contractor that provides safe, cost-effective and innovative solutions to support environmental cleanup for the Department of Energy’s Office of Environmental Management. Some of the CPWR resources the contractor has used include the Foundations … Read more

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New QDR Shows Sharp Decrease in Employer-Reported Work-Related MSDs

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The new Quarterly Data Report from The Center for Construction Research and Training examines trends in work and non-work related musculoskeletal disorders, the soft-tissue injuries caused by exposure to repetitive or sudden motions, forces and awkward positions. In 2017, the rate of employer-reported, work-related MSDs in construction was 31.2 cases per 10,000 FTEs, less than one-quarter of 1992’s level. However, about 30% of construction workers self-reported they had low-back pain (work- or non-work-related), and that figure has not changed significantly. Moreover, nearly half of construction workers reported they had one or more MSD symptoms, such as neck pain, joint pain and back pain. Older workers were more likely to … Read more

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