A previously recorded webinar on protecting workers in trenches conducted by the OSHA Training Institute Region VI Education Centers is now available in Spanish as well as English. Both are free on Vimeo:
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Study shows DOE construction workers were at significant risk for diseases associated with occupational exposures, including all cancers
The American Journal of Industrial Medicine published findings from BTMed’s researchers, “Mortality of Older Construction and Craft Workers Employed at Department of Energy Nuclear Sites: Follow-up Through 2016”. Findings showed that DOE construction workers were at significant risk for diseases associated with occupational exposures, including all cancers. The study highlights the importance of continued medical screening and early lung cancer detection for the health and welfare of workers.
Visit www.btmed.org/…/Medi…/AJIM-Mortality-of-DOE-Workers-2019.pdf to read the full paper.
America’s Safest Companies 2019: UCOR
Founded in 2002, EHSToday’s America’s Safest Companies Awards recognize companies who have achieved innovative and strategic safety goals.
From EHSToday:
At UCOR, an AECOM-led partnership with Jacobs, management, the Department of Energy and the workforce form a team that is dedicated to the protection of one another and the environment.
A culture of caring and excellence is practiced throughout the company. Management exemplifies the willingness to invest in recruitment and development, a wellness program and various employee engagement activities.
“Success is built on a solid safety culture that operates in accordance with world-class EHS programs,” says Michelle Keever, senior safety and health program specialist. “We are known for work completed ahead of schedule and under budget—and safely. Efficiencies and innovations realized through the use of safe, creative and innovative approaches have resulted in more than $100 million in cost savings over the life of our project.”
UCOR regularly introduces operational and safety technologies and adds equipment and systems designed to ensure safety and successful mission accomplishment.
The company utilizes high-tech monitoring equipment and virtual reality training. Equipment and facility/infrastructure system upgrades designed to protect workers and the environment can be seen throughout UCOR worksites.
When it comes to safety, UCOR is not satisfied with minimum standards. Because work is performed in a hazardous setting, the company goes above and beyond to set the bar high.
Management’s “propensity for conservative decision-making and concern for the safety of the workforce” was evidenced by the decision to shut down operations for five days due to snow and icy conditions in 2015, Keever says.
During the snowstorm, other area employers experienced a high rate of injuries because of slippery walking and working surfaces and hazardous driving conditions. UCOR management made the business decision to mitigate financial hardships by paying for unplanned time away from work due to the inclement weather. This decision included building trades personnel who, by contract, would not normally have received payment for time off the job.
“Our performance defines our reputation,” Keever says.
A Construction Company Embraces Frank Talk About Mental Health To Reduce Suicide
From Shots: Health News from NPR:
In 2014, construction company RK experienced the suicide of a worker, shaking its 1,500 employees and becoming a pivotal event for the company.
The death brought home some painful facts. Construction and mining (including oil drilling) have the highest suicide rates of all occupations, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And the suicide rate for working-age adults has been rising in the U.S., increasing by 34% to 17.3 suicides per 100,000 in 2015 from 12.9 in 2012.
Kinning spent the months after the incident meeting with industry leaders and suicide experts.
The result: RK, which was founded 56 years ago by Kinning’s father, eventually put together what is now regarded as a model for suicide prevention in the construction industry. It involves 24-hour access to counseling services, lenient leave policies and crisis training for managers, among other things.
Most critically, says Kinning, the company embraced lots and lots of open talk about mental health. Kinning estimates having averted around 15 suicides since launching the program.
Mortality of Older Construction and Craft Workers Employed at Department of Energy Nuclear Sites
The American Journal of Industrial Medicine published findings from BTMed’s researchers, “Mortality of Older Construction and Craft Workers Employed at Department of Energy Nuclear Sites: Follow-up Through 2016”. Findings showed that DOE construction workers were at significant risk for diseases associated with occupational exposures, including all cancers. The study highlights the importance of continued medical screening and early lung cancer detection for the health and welfare of workers.
Visit www.btmed.org/…/Medi…/AJIM-Mortality-of-DOE-Workers-2019.pdf to read the full paper.