This issue of the CPWR Data Bulletin examines construction safety management during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the impact of COVID-19 on businesses; safety and health priorities; and plans, practices, and policies to prevent viral spread. Accompanying the Data Bulletin are two new data dashboards: Characteristics of Construction Businesses and Characteristics of Construction Business Owners.

• Data Bulletin
• Data Bulletin – Charts
• Data Bulletin – Chart Data

One of the challenges facing women in the construction industry is finding personal protective equipment (PPE) that fits properly. This is a serious issue because PPE that does not fit properly will not adequately protect against occupational hazards and may increase the risk for illnesses, injuries and death. For example, oversized protective clothing can lead to tripping hazards or get caught in machinery and result in a serious injury. Although OSHA Construction Standards for PPE do not require employers to ensure that the PPE provided fits each employee, doing so will ensure their employees, including female employees, are protected.

CPWR has compiled a list of examples of commercially available PPE to help employers and women in the trades find PPE that accommodates female anthropometry. To view the list, click here.

This new NIOSH Science Blog discusses CPWR’s Small Study Program, which provides funding of up to $30,000 for short-term extramural studies (up to 12 months). This research can investigate and assess the potential risks from emerging hazards and changes taking place in the construction industry, explore new approaches for addressing persistent hazards, and create and test promising methods and interventions to improve construction worker health and safety.

To read the post and learn more about the Small Study Program, click HERE.

CPWR’s Construction Safety and Health podcast series has added three new podcasts. The latest additions include:

• A two-part series on fall protection standards and improving fall protection programs. Based on a webinar this spring to support the National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, both episodes capture questions from stakeholders about using the ASSP/ANSI Z359 fall protection standards and improving fall protection programs.
• Andrew Levinson, Acting Director of OSHA’s Directorate of Standards and Guidance, talking with Linda Goldenhar, CPWR’s Director of Research and Evaluation, about her work developing tools and resources to improve company safety climate.

Dodge Data & Analytics with support from CPWR and Newmetrix, examines how COVID-19 and new technologies are creating significant changes in how contractors manage safety. The report also shows stark variations in how companies of different sizes are responding, with small employers lagging their larger peers.

Click here for the full report.