Construction

Cincinnati — Workers exposed to loud noise on the job are at increased risk for hypertension and high cholesterol – key risk factors for heart disease – according to a recent study from NIOSH.

Washington — NIOSH, OSHA and the Center for Construction Research and Training – also known as CPWR – are among the entities encouraging construction employers to stop work to discuss fall hazards and prevention with workers during the fifth annual National Safety Stand-Down to Prevent Falls in Construction, scheduled to take place May 7-11.

Washington — Ototoxicants – chemicals that can cause hearing loss and balance issues when inhaled, ingested or absorbed through the skin – are found in certain pesticides, solvents and medications, and the risk of their adverse effects increases when workers are exposed to elevated noise levels, OSHA cautions in a Safety and Health Information Bulletin published March 8.

Safety+Health presents a look at safety in the construction industry.

Philadelphia — To help raise awareness of the four leading safety hazards in the construction industry, OSHA is launching its Focus Four Hazards campaign for Region 3, the agency announced March 9.

Boston — Workers frequently exposed to diesel exhaust may face a higher risk of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and the risk may increase with length of exposure, a preliminary study from Harvard University suggests.

Washington — OSHA is delaying enforcement on all of its beryllium standards until May 11, the agency has announced.

Silver Spring, MD — Caught-in or caught-between incidents resulted in 275 construction worker deaths from 2011 to 2015 – the most of any major industry – according to a recent report from the Center for Construction Research and Training (also known as CPWR).

Chicago — Opioid-related overdoses claimed the lives of nearly 1,000 Midwest construction workers in 2015 – part of an opioid crisis that cost the region’s industry more than $5 billion in health care expenses and lost time and production, according to a recent report from the Midwest Economic Policy Institute.

Lexington, KY — In response to an uptick in trench-related deaths among construction workers, the Kentucky Fatality Assessment and Control Evaluation Program has released a hazard alert warning of the dangers of trench work.