NIOSH Program Portfolio : Construction : Research to Practice

NIOSH Programs > Construction > Research to Practice

Construction

Outputs: Research to Practice

Historically, NIOSH has been a leader in applying research into workplace solutions that reduce injury and illness. Research to Practice (r2p) is a NIOSH initiative focused on the transfer and translation of research findings, technologies, and information into highly effective prevention practices and products which are adopted in the workplace.

The goal of r2p is to increase workplace use of effective NIOSH and NIOSH-funded research findings. NIOSH continues to work with our partners to focus research on ways to develop effective products, translate research findings into practice, target dissemination efforts, and evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of these efforts in improving worker health and safety.

The following are examples of r2p for the Construction Program:

Reduction of asphalt fume exposures to paving machine operators

A unique government, industry, and labor partnership was formed to reduce worker exposure to asphalt fumes during paving operations. In a departure from the traditional occupational safety and health (OSH) approach, government researchers partnered with representatives from industry and labor to create a cooperative research effort. The research partnership included all U.S. manufacturers of highway-class asphalt paving equipment, numerous paving contractors, and the full participation of labor unions representing paving workers. This partnership was successful in developing practical, effective control systems to control asphalt fume exposures and a voluntary agreement to incorporate these controls on all newly manufactured highway pavers. See NIOSH Publication (No. 97-105): Engineering Control Guidelines for Hot Mix Asphalt Pavers.

Creation of guidance for reducing hazards in the tower erection industry

NIOSH worked with OSHA and the National Association of Tower Erectors on a multi-agency Task Force to address hazards associated with telecommunication tower construction and maintenance. NIOSH developed an Alert Preventing Injuries and Deaths from Falls during Construction and Maintenance of Telecommunication Towers [NIOSH Publication No. 2001-156] and this information and other input was used to develop an OSHA compliance directive (CPL 2-1.29, Interim Inspection Procedures During Communication Tower Construction Activities) to protect workers from hazards in the tower construction industry.
External Link: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=24309

Creating a "Construction Solutions" database

NIOSH partner CPWR is currently developing an on-line " Construction Solutions" database to organize hazards by tasks and allow workers and contractors to get access to options for controlling those hazards. "Solution Reviews" will be solicited from workers and contractors in order to provide practical feedback. Development is in collaboration with the NIOSH Workplace Solutions database for small employers in general industry and adapts criteria from NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Intervention Effectiveness Team. See http://www.cpwr.com/service-constructionsol.html for more information, including a short presentation.

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NIOSH Program:

Construction

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Research to Practice
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Review & Evaluation

	NIOSH Programs > Construction > Research to Practice Construction Outputs: Research to Practice Historically, NIOSH has been a leader in applying research into workplace solutions that reduce injury and illness. Research to Practice (r2p) is a NIOSH initiative focused on the transfer and translation of research findings, technologies, and information into highly effective prevention practices and products which are adopted in the workplace. The goal of r2p is to increase workplace use of effective NIOSH and NIOSH-funded research findings. NIOSH continues to work with our partners to focus research on ways to develop effective products, translate research findings into practice, target dissemination efforts, and evaluate and demonstrate the effectiveness of these efforts in improving worker health and safety. The following are examples of r2p for the Construction Program: Reduction of asphalt fume exposures to paving machine operators A unique government, industry, and labor partnership was formed to reduce worker exposure to asphalt fumes during paving operations. In a departure from the traditional occupational safety and health (OSH) approach, government researchers partnered with representatives from industry and labor to create a cooperative research effort. The research partnership included all U.S. manufacturers of highway-class asphalt paving equipment, numerous paving contractors, and the full participation of labor unions representing paving workers. This partnership was successful in developing practical, effective control systems to control asphalt fume exposures and a voluntary agreement to incorporate these controls on all newly manufactured highway pavers. See NIOSH Publication (No. 97-105): Engineering Control Guidelines for Hot Mix Asphalt Pavers. Creation of guidance for reducing hazards in the tower erection industry NIOSH worked with OSHA and the National Association of Tower Erectors on a multi-agency Task Force to address hazards associated with telecommunication tower construction and maintenance. NIOSH developed an Alert Preventing Injuries and Deaths from Falls during Construction and Maintenance of Telecommunication Towers [NIOSH Publication No. 2001-156] and this information and other input was used to develop an OSHA compliance directive (CPL 2-1.29, Interim Inspection Procedures During Communication Tower Construction Activities) to protect workers from hazards in the tower construction industry. External Link: http://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=24309 Creating a "Construction Solutions" database NIOSH partner CPWR is currently developing an on-line " Construction Solutions" database to organize hazards by tasks and allow workers and contractors to get access to options for controlling those hazards. "Solution Reviews" will be solicited from workers and contractors in order to provide practical feedback. Development is in collaboration with the NIOSH Workplace Solutions database for small employers in general industry and adapts criteria from NIOSH's National Occupational Research Agenda (NORA) Intervention Effectiveness Team. See http://www.cpwr.com/service-constructionsol.html for more information, including a short presentation. < Topic Pages \| Research to Practice \| Conferences >				NIOSH Program: Construction Program Description Inputs Sector Description Economic Factors Occupational Risks National Research Agenda (NORA) NIOSH Strategic Goals Partners NIOSH Contacts Activities NIOSH Research Projects NIOSH Funded Research Grants Outputs Publications Topic Pages Research to Practice Conferences Outcomes Review & Evaluation Program Review National Academies Evaluation
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