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Â鶹ÊÓƵ UPDATE
From the Desk of Chris Trahan Cain, Executive Director
March 2023
New Data Bulletin Examines Focus Four Injuries
Our Data Center works to monitor industry trends, including paying particular attention to top hazards facing construction workers: falls, caught-in/between, electrocutions, and struck-by.. Labeled the Focus Four, these hazards accounted for 65% of fatal injuries in the industry from 2011 to 2021. The March 2023 issue of examines fatal and nonfatal Focus Four injuries in construction by injury type and detailed event/exposure. It found that falls to a lower level accounted for a majority of fatal Focus Four injuries, while struck-by injuries comprised a majority of nonfatal Focus Four injuries.

Two to provide 2021 fatal injury data. The first accompanies this month’s Data Bulletin, examining ; the second details in construction. 
TOOLS FOR SAFETY AND HEALTH
April 17-21 marks the fourth annual National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents, when employers are urged to prevent struck-by hazards on the job by improving planning, conducting training and demonstrations, holding safety-related contests and equipment inspections, and gathering feedback on workplace policies from employees.
 
Following the Struck-by Stand-Down, we will shift our focus to the 10th annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction May 1-5. Don’t forget to , and Â鶹ÊÓƵ has also added to with resources on three new topics: Planning a Multi-layered Approach to Fall Prevention and Protection; Rescue Planning Saves Lives; and Occupational Health Inequity: Hispanic Workers More Likely to Die from Falls.
RESEARCH NEWS
Our Small Study Program on improving construction safety and health with funding up to $30,000. While we normally accept applications on a rolling basis, starting August 31 we will take a one-year pause from funding new studies. Because the review process can take a few months, new letters of intent must be submitted by May 31.

Research Partners Wanted
Â鶹ÊÓƵ is seeking partners to join us in our application to continue as the National Center for Construction Safety and Health Research and Translation under a new five-year cooperative agreement with the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health. Consortium partners will develop and implement three- to five-year projects consistent with the research priorities . The deadline to submit concept memos is May 1, 2023.
 
Improving the Assessment of Noise Exposure and Warning Signal Audibility Improving the Assessment of Noise Exposure and Warning Signal Audibility on Construction Sites. Nikolina Samardzic, Aslihan Karatas, Behzad Esmaeili. Â鶹ÊÓƵ Small Study, 2023. Read and .
 
Participate in a Pilot Program on Preventing Struck-by Incidents
Â鶹ÊÓƵ 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 participate by watching last month’s webinar, or by emailing Grace Barlet at Â鶹ÊÓƵ. 
NEWS & EVENTS
Webinars
Women in Construction Series
Â鶹ÊÓƵ is hosting a mini-series on women in construction. You must register for each webinar individually. Live attendance is capped at 1,000 people; however, the webinars are recorded and posted to Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s YouTube channel -- including last month’s -- for anyone who cannot attend.

Wednesday, March 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET (1 hour)
Strategies to Recruit and Retain Women
Learn what inclusive, diverse, and equitable workplaces look like in the construction industry and how they can be achieved from representatives of Building Pathways, TradesFutures, the Iron Workers, the International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers, Alberici Construction, The Building Union Diversity (BUD) program, and the University of Washington. Strategies covered will include apprenticeship readiness programs, mentorship programs, and practices such as maternity leave, inclusive PPE, sanitation, and security.

 
Wednesday, March 22 at 2:00 p.m. ET (1 hour)
Being an Ally – Improving Treatment of Women on the Job
Our final session will cover the basics of how to foster a jobsite safety climate that is welcoming to women and other minorities in the industry. Panelists from Â鶹ÊÓƵ, NABTU, the Iron Workers, and others will review legal policies to ensure accountability, when and how to intervene, the benefits of anti-harassment and upstander training, and other ways to support women workers practically and directly.


Thursday, March 9 at 2:00 p.m. ET
Struck-by Injuries in the Construction Industry
Hosted by Occupational Health & Safety
This presentation will focus on struck-by injuries in the construction industry. Amber Trueblood, director of Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s Data Center, will begin with a review of recent data trends from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Census of Fatal Occupational Injuries (CFOI) and Survey of Occupational Injuries and Illnesses (SOII). Jessica Bunting, Â鶹ÊÓƵ’s research to practice (r2p) director, will then share highlighted findings from the report, , along with free resources that can be used to educate both contractors and workers as part of the National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents (April 17-21) and the National Safety Stand down to Prevent Falls in Construction (May 1-5).


March 8 at 2:00 p.m. ET
Overview of Beryllium and the BeLPT
Hosted by the U.S. Department of Energy and its Former Worker Programs
This webinar will share information about beryllium and the beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test (BeLPT). The panelists will discuss the origin and use of beryllium, the BeLPT, who should have a BeLPT, and why it is important to schedule a BeLPT through Former Worker Medical Screening Programs like the , managed by Â鶹ÊÓƵ.

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Â鶹ÊÓƵ in the News
, Construction Dive, 2/8/23

, Safety+Health, 1/11/23

, Qué Pasa, 2/16/23
Speaking Engagements
Podcast, -- Ladder Safety
  • Mike Kassman, Director, OSHA and Disaster Response Training, Â鶹ÊÓƵ

March 2, virtual –
12 – 1 p.m. -- Pre-Task Planning to Enhance Safety and Health: Challenges & Solutions  
  • Babak Memarian, Director, Exposure Control Technologies Research, Â鶹ÊÓƵ 

March 14-18, Las Vegas --
March 14, 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. -- The Impact of the Infrastructure and Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) on Construction Safety
  • Bradley Sant, Senior Vice President of Safety and Education, American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA)
  • Alison Black, Senior Vice President and Chief Economist, ARTBA
  • Jessica Bunting, Director, Research to Practice, Â鶹ÊÓƵ
 
March 16, 2:30 - 3:15 p.m. -- Preventing Falls in Construction: What Is Being Done and What More Can We Do?
  • Elizabeth Garza, Public Health Advisor, Office of Construction Safety and Health, NIOSH
  • Grace Barlet, Research Analyst, Â鶹ÊÓƵ
 
March 16, Laurel, Maryland --
9:45 - 10:45 – Opioids and Suicide in Construction
  • Rick Rinehart, Deputy Director, Â鶹ÊÓƵ
  • Christopher Rodman, Opioid Projects Coordinator, Â鶹ÊÓƵ
Career Opportunities
Â鶹ÊÓƵ has openings for two positions:


 for instructions on applying.