Much of our information about workplace safety and health comes from reports filed by employers. In 2015, the annual National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) included an Occupational Health Supplement -- giving workers an opportunity to speak up about safety and health in their workplace. The Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) Data Center recently analyzed the responses. Among the standout findings:

  • More than 60% of American workers consider their workplace "very safe" -- but fewer than half of construction workers think so. That's the lowest number for any U.S. industry except agriculture.
  • Construction workers were far less likely to enjoy workplace access to health promotion programs, such as blood pressure screening or help quitting smoking, than the average U.S. worker (24% to 47%).

  • Hispanic construction workers were much more likely to worry about losing their jobs than their white, non-Hispanic counterparts (16.5% to 9.8%).

Source: 2015 Occupational Health Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey Calculations by the authors.
Source: 2015 Occupational Health Supplement to the National Health Interview Survey Calculations by the authors.

Do you want to learn more? You can read the full results in CPWR's latest Quarterly Data Report, Workplace Safety and Health Perceptions of Construction Workers. Or join Data Center Director Sue Dong on Nov. 17 for a webinar - "Safety Management and Safety Culture in the Construction Industry" - discussing these and other recent Data Center findings. CLICK HERE to register.