Construction Research at NIOSH: Reviews of Research Programs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health

by Institute of Medicine, National Research Council, Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences, Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment, Committee to Review the NIOSH Construction Research Program

Overview

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) conducts construction-relevant research activities. From 1996 through 2005, the program focused on four research goals:

• reducing traumatic injuries and fatalities;
• reducing exposure to health hazards;
• reducing major risks associated with musculoskeletal disorders;
• increasing the understanding of construction industry attributes and factors for improving health and safety outcomes.

In this book, the National Research Council evaluates the relevance and impact of the NIOSH Construction Research Program in terms of its research priorities and its connection to improvements in the protection of workers in the workplace.

It also assesses the program' s identification and targeting of new research areas, to identify emerging research issues, and to provide advice on ways that the program might be strengthened.

The book finds that the efforts of the Construction Research Program have made meaningful contributions to improving construction worker safety and health, and provides overreaching and specific recommendations for continuing progress. While NIOSH cannot set and enforce research-based standards on its own, the program can be expected to help reduce construction workplace fatalities, injuries, and illnesses through its research, its research dissemination, and transfer into practice.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780309128506
Publisher:	National Academies Press
Publication date:	04/12/2009
Pages:	176
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.40(d)

Table of Contents

Summary 1

1 Introduction 21

Study Charge and Evaluation Committee 23

Trends in Construction Workplace Safety and Health 25

Characteristics of the Construction Industry 26

References 31

2 The NIOSH Construction Research Program 32

Program Evolution 32

Strategic Planning and Research Goals 34

Current Program Structure and Administration 35

External Factors 39

References 44

3 Evaluation of the Relevance and Impact of the NIOSH Construction Research Program 45

Assessment of Relevance 47

Overall Evaluation of Relevance 69

Assessment of Impact 71

Overall Evaluation of Impact 78

References 80

4 Future Research and Program Improvement 82

Overview of New and Emerging Research Areas 83

Analysis of and Recommendations Regarding Emerging Issues and New Research Areas 86

Overarching Recommendations for Program Improvement 98

References 100

Appendixes

A Framework for the Review of Research Programs of the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 103

B Committee Meetings 148

C Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment 152

D Biosketches of Committee Members 153