January 5, 2007—The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the Center to Protect Workers’ Rights (CPWR), and the District Council of Northern New Jersey of the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental, and Reinforcing Iron Workers are collaborating to improve the prevention of falls and close calls in construction. According to NIOSH, falls are the number one cause of fatal injuries in construction.
Apprentices and journeymen will evaluate two training tools to promote hazard recognition on job sites. Discussions with journeymen ironworkers who have experience with falls and close calls will be used to identify and eliminate working conditions that may contribute to close calls and falls.
For more information on this research project, contact TScharf@cdc.gov. NIOSH resources on construction safety are available online.
