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
CPWR to serve as NIOSH National Construction Center
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.
Upcoming CPWR Webinar: Lessons from a Contractor
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
New QDR Shows Sharp Decrease in Employer-Reported Work-Related MSDs
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
New Award Recognizes Innovative Safety Interventions
The new Liberty Mutual Safety Innovation Award in Construction recognizes innovative Evidence-Based technologies, work practices and programs designed to reduce or eliminate construction hazards that lead to injuries and pain in the construction industry. The award is sponsored by Liberty Mutual Insurance and administered by CPWR. The award was established to: Encourage the development of innovative hazard reduction interventions Educate the construction community about safety and health hazards of national concern and promote widespread use of interventions to address them The winner will receive a $15,000 cash prize and a plaque. In addition, one or more honorable mention awards may … Read more