CPWR releases resources for aging construction workers

Silver Spring, MD — Recognizing the importance of older workers in the construction industry, CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training has developed a series of resources for them.

Citing data from the Bureau of Labor Statics, CPWR says the average construction worker is 42 years old and that many of them are expected to remain on the job longer, “influenced by financial pressures as well as by job satisfaction.”

The resources include a data dashboard, tools for hazard assessment and primary prevention, supportive programs, and legal resources.

The Aging Workers Data Dashboard examines the U.S. workforce by the numbers, including the number of workers 55 and older in construction, along with the average worker age in all industries and nine separate industries.

Because the physical demands of construction work make hazard assessment and primary prevention important, CPWR offers a suite of guidance on:

• Fall prevention and protection
• Health and wellness promotion
• Heat-related illness prevention
• Lighting
• Manual materials handling
• Noise and hearing loss
• Safety climate
• Site management and housekeeping

Examples of supportive programs include pairing younger workers/apprentices with older journey persons, bidirectional mentorship and training for “career ladders.”

Online links to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, OSHA construction standards and Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility standards provide information on age discrimination, workplace safety and health, and the role of reasonable accommodations on the job.