Key points
- The Construction Program strives to eliminate occupational diseases, injuries, and fatalities among workers in this industry through research and prevention.
- The Program fulfills its mission through research, practical solutions, partnerships, and research to practice (r2p).
Overview
To Learn More
The Construction Program works with partners in industry, labor, trade associations, academia, professional organizations, and other government organizations to identify the most relevant issues for workers in the construction industry.
Over the years, NIOSH and partners such as CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training - and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) have completed numerous projects to promote construction worker safety and health. Support is provided for extramural construction research projects conducted by academic and other researchers through grants and cooperative agreements.
Program priorities
The Construction Program has selected research priorities on the basis of burden, need, and impact. They also collaborated with other NIOSH research programs to write the research goals in the NIOSH Strategic Plan for FYs 2019-2024. Priority areas include (but are not limited to):
- Prevent injuries and deaths related to falls and struck-by incidents.
- Address outcomes related to mental health and substance use disorders.
- Reduce exposures including respiratory hazards and excessive noise.
- Reduce musculoskeletal injuries and disorders.
What we've accomplished
In 2022-2023, the Program:
- Published toolbox talks with CPWR that address prevention of falling through openings and forklift safety.
- Published NIOSH Science Blogs on:
- Worked closely with construction leaders addressing the hazards of falls and struck-by incidents.
- Conducted two national stand-down campaigns (with OSHA, CPWR, and industry leaders)
- Developed supporting communication products including infographics on fall prevention and dropped objects.
- Conducted two national stand-down campaigns (with OSHA, CPWR, and industry leaders)
- Published articles on hazards control for residential roofers related to musculoskeletal disorders and falls.
- Published a fact sheet on hazards associated with operating and working near dump trucks.
What's ahead
In the future, the Program aims to:
- Conduct research and develop communication products to promote R2P and improve construction worker safety and health related to long-standing, as well as emerging hazards.
- Prevent falls and struck-by incidents, addressing hazards associated with the greatest number of injuries and deaths in construction, during the national infrastructure buildout.
- Increase efforts to promote work zone safety for construction and maintenance workers on highways and streets.
- Develop and promote Prevention through Design in the construction sector by:
- Supporting workshops at Arizona State University
- Conducting collaborative webinars with OSHA and CPWR
- Developing workplace-ready checklists and related materials.
- Supporting workshops at Arizona State University
Resources
More information on specific workplace safety and health topics and useful resources can be found on the Construction Directory of Resources.
NORA Council
The Construction Program helps lead the NORA Construction Sector Council. The Council brings together individuals and organizations to share information, form partnerships, and promote adoption and dissemination of solutions that work.