Research Findings
Construction Employment, Businesses, and COVID-19 Vaccinations During the Pandemic
Description:
The lastest issue of CPWR's Data Bulletin provides updated information on construction employment, business, and vaccination rates and attitudes since March 2020.
Source: CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training
Date: 10/06/21
Safety and Health Implications of COVID-19 on the United States Construction Industry
Description:
The construction industry is an essential U.S. business sector, yet it suffers from an elevated risk for work-related fatalities and injuries. The COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated this risk, as well as shone a light on the severe economic/financial/labor burdens and safety/health concerns the sector has faced. As such, the purpose of this review paper is to synthesize the safety and health issues associated with COVID-19 pandemic in the construction industry, and summarize the challenges and opportunities for construction stakeholders in implementing COVID-19 safety and health measures in the construction industry. This paper has explored the challenges in construction and COVID-19; COVID-19 knowledge, preventative behaviors, and risk perception among construction workers; recommendations/practical implications/preventive measures; and COVID-19 education in compliance/guidance, strategies to combat impacts of COVID-19 pandemic, smart digital technologies, and worker wellbeing and work-related quality of life (e.g., mental health). It is warranted that the construction industry needs to take better steps in preparing for future, man-made or natural disaster events, and subsequent acute and chronic disease risk, in order to yield a healthier/safer construction workplace.
Date: 06/11/21
Early Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the United States Construction Industry
Description:
Apart from the unprecedented number of deaths and hospitalizations, the pandemic has resulted in economic slowdowns, widespread business disruptions, and significant hardships. This study focused on investigating the early impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the U.S. construction industry since the declaration of the national emergency on 13 March 2020.
Source: North Carolina State University
Date: 03/12/21
COVID-19 & Construction: The Ongoing Effects of the Pandemic on Business
Description:
Insights from Dodge Data & Analytics on the impact of coronavirus currently & what's expected in the future
Source: Dodge Data & Analytics
Date: 03/12/21
Effects of ventilation on the indoor spread of COVID-19
Description:
Although the relative importance of airborne transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 virus is controversial, increasing evidence suggests that understanding airflows is important for estimation of the risk of contracting COVID-19. The data available so far indicate that indoor transmission of the virus far outstrips outdoor transmission, possibly due to longer exposure times and the decreased turbulence levels (and therefore dispersion) found indoors. In this paper we discuss the role of building ventilation on the possible pathways of airborne particles and examine the fluid mechanics of the processes involved.
Source: Rajesh K. Bhagat, M. S. Davies Wykes, Stuart B. Dalziel, and P. F. Linden
Date: 03/12/21
State of the Response: Employer Action to Address the Pandemic
Description:
In July 2020, The National Safety Council launched a national employer survey to safety and health professionals for organizations with a least 250 employees across several different U.S.-based industries. Results revealed efforts to mitigate COVID-19 include providing had santitation stations for workers, providing proper PPE for workers and promoting remote work to faciliatig physical distancing.
Source: National Safety Council
Date: 12/04/20
COVID-19 Confirmed Cases by Industry Sector
Description:
This report on COVID-19 in Washington state shows that, among the approximately 31,000 cases where there was employment information, 25% of them were among people providing health care and social assistance. Construction workers were 7% of the state’s cases.
Source: Washington State Department of Labor and Industry
Date: 12/04/20
Estimated Association of Construction Work With Risks of COVID-19 Infection and Hospitalization in Texas
Description:
This study introduced a decision analytical model of COVID-19 that "found that resuming construction work during shelter-in-place orders was associated with increased hospitalization risks in the construction workforce and increase transmission in the surrounding community. Based on COVID-19 hospitalization data through August 20, 2020, construction workers had a nearly 5-fold increased risk of hospitalization in central Texas compared with other occupational categories. The findings of this study suggest that enacting workplace safety policies and providing paid sick leave could protect essential workers in high-contact industries and prevent further widening of disparities in COVID-19 morbidity and mortality." (October 29, 2020)
Date: 11/02/20
Assessment and mitigation of aerosol airborne SARS-CoV-2 transmission in laboratory and office environments
Description:
This study introduces a "framework for estimating the risk of transmitting SARS-CoV-2 via aerosols in laboratory and office settings, based on an exponential dose-response model and analysis of air flow and purification in typical heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems." (September 22, 2020)
Source: Journal of Occupational and Environmental Hygiene
Date: 03/12/21
MMWR - COVID-19 in a Correctional Facility Employee Following Multiple Brief Exposures to Persons with COVID-19 - Vermont, July-August 2020
Description:
This MMWR discusses a confirmed case of COVID-19 in a correctional facility employee that was reported to the Vermont Department of Health. "Although the correctional officer never spent 15 consecutive minutes within 6 feet of an IDP [incarcerated or detained persons] with COVID-19, numerous brief (approximately 1-minute) encounters that cumulatively exceeded 15 minutes did occur... The correctional officer reported no other known close contact exposure tos perosns with COVID-19...suggesting that his most likely exposures occurred in the correctional facility through multiple brief encounters with IDPs who later received a positive SARS-CoV02 test result." (October 21, 2020)
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 11/02/20
Efficacy of face masks, neck gaiters and face shields for reducing the expulsion of simulated cough-generated aerosols
Description:
This study used a cough simulator with a headform to propel small aerosol particles into different face coverings. The N95 respirator blocked 99% of the cough aerosols, a procedure mask blocked 59%, a 3-ply cloth face mask blocked 51%, and a polyester neck gaiter blocked 47% as a single layer and 60% when folded into a double layer. The face shield only blocked 2% of the cough aerosol. This article has not been peer-reviewed. (October 2020)
Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Date: 11/05/20
CDC - Scientific Brief: SARS-CoV-2 and Potential Airborne Transmission (updated Oct. 5, 2020)
Description:
This brief discusses the potential for transmission through "aerosol" - small particles that can move through the air.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 10/08/20
Outcomes of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients Recently Recovered From Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19)
Description:
Key Points
Question: What are the cardiovascular effects in unselected patients with recent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)?
Findings: In this cohort study including 100 patients recently recovered from COVID-19 identified from a COVID-19 test center, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging revealed cardiac involvement in 78 patients (78%) and ongoing myocardial inflammation in 60 patients (60%), which was independent of preexisting conditions, severity and overall course of the acute illness, and the time from the original diagnosis.
Meaning: These findings indicate the need for ongoing investigation of the long-term cardiovascular consequences of COVID-19.
Source: The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA): Cardiology
Date: 09/12/20
Association of Cardiac Infection With SARS-CoV-2 in Confirmed COVID-19 Autopsy Cases
Description:
Key Points
Question: Can severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) be documented in cardiac tissue of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) autopsy cases?
Findings: In this cohort study of 39 autopsy cases of patients with COVID-19, cardiac infection with SARS-CoV-2 was found to be frequent but not associated with myocarditis-like influx of inflammatory cells into the myocardium.
Meaning: Among individuals with cardiac infection, overt myocarditis was not observed in the acute phase, but the long-term consequences of this cardiac infection needs to be studied.
Source: The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA): Cardiology
Date: 09/12/20
Professional and Home-Made Face Masks Reduce Exposure to Respiratory Infections among the General Population
Description:
This study assessed the transmission reduction potential provided by personal respirators, surgical masks, and home-made masks when worn during a variety of activities by healthy volunteers and a simulated patient. It found that any type of respirator or mask reduced transmission.
Source: PLOS ONE
Date: 09/12/20
Effectiveness of manufactured surgical masks, respirators, and home-made masks in prevention of respiratory infection due to airborne microorganisms
Description:
This article aims to provide more detailed scientific information regarding the effectiveness and reusability of medical/surgical masks, respirators, and homemade masks.
Source: The Southwest Respiratory and Critical Care Chronicles
Date: 08/28/20
Factors Associated with Cloth Face Covering Use Among Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic — United States, April and May 2020
Description:
This report summarizes the response to the initial White House Coronavirus Task Force and CDC recommendation that persons wear a cloth face covering in public to slow the spread of COVID-19. The study found that "[a]fter the initial recommendation was released, high rates of cloth face covering use were reported in the United States. An increase in the rate of cloth face covering use was observed from April to May and was sustained, particularly among non-Hispanic blacks and other races, Hispanics, persons aged ≤39 years, and persons living in the Northeast."
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 09/12/20
Absence of Apparent Transmission of SARS-COV-2 From Two Stylists After Exposure at a Hair Salon with a Universal Face Covering Policy - Springfield, Missouri, May 2020 - July 17, 2020
Description:
This report documents the value of face coverings to prevent the spread of COVID-19: "Among 139 clients exposed to two symptomatic hair stylists with confirmed COVID-19 while both the stylists and the clients wore face masks, no symptomatic secondary cases were reported; among 67 clients tested for SARS-CoV-2, all test results were negative. Adherence to the community’s and company’s face-covering policy likely mitigated spread of SARS-CoV-2."
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Date: 09/12/20
7/2/2020: UPDATE - FDA warns consumers of risk of methanol contamination in certain hand sanitizers
Description:
FDA is warning consumers and health care providers that the agency has seen a sharp increase in hand sanitizer products that are labeled to contain ethanol (also known as ethyl alcohol) but that have tested positive for methanol contamination.
Source: Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
Date: 07/13/20
Protective Facemask Impact on Human Thermoregulation: An Overview
Description:
Protective facemasks (PFMs) negatively impacts respiratory and dermal thermoregulation mechanisms of human thermoregulation. This research found relatively minor increases in core temperature directly attributable to wearing PFMs, which suggests that perceptions of increased body temperature may have a significant psychological component or that regional or global brain temperature changes are involved. Modifications in PFM structure, components, and materials might allow for improved heat dissipation and enhanced compliance with use.
Source: Annals of Work Exposure and Health
Date: 09/12/20
COVID-19 Webinar Series - Data Driven Insights on Job Site Activity (June 3, 2020)
Description:
This webinar covered updates from NIOSH and CPWR and a presentation by a representative from PROCORE on the the results of their analysis of recent construction trends and the implications of these trends.
Source: CPWR - The Center for Construction Research and Training
Date: 06/26/20
COVID-19 Demographic and Economic Resources
Description:
The COVID-19 Hub presents selected Census Bureau demographic and economic data to help guide decision-making during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census
Date: 09/12/20
HVAC filtration for controlling infectious airborne disease transmission in indoor environments: Predicting risk reductions and operational costs
Description:
This research finds that recirculating HVAC filtration was predicted to achieve risk reductions at lower costs of operation than equivalent levels of outdoor air ventilation.
Source: Building and Environment
Date: 03/12/21
PROCORE - COVID-19 Insights
Description:
An analysis of aggregate jobsite activity from internal data and publicly available data provides insights into the impact of the pandemic on construction activity. Watch the on-demand webinar.
Source: PROCORE
Date: 07/19/20
Washington State - COVID-19 Risk assessment dashboard
Description:
This dashboard provides an overview of the key metrics and data used by state leaders to assess whether it’s safe for a county to enter a new phase of reopening.
Source: Washington State
Date: 06/07/20
COVID-19 in Austin, Texas: Epidemiological Assessment of Construction Work (April 5, 2020)
Description:
In response to a request from the city of Austin the authors projected the epidemiological impacts of allowing some or all construction work to resume. Authors: Remy Pasco, Dr. Zhanwei Du, Xutong Wang, Michaela Petty, Dr. Spencer J. Fox, Dr. Lauren
Ancel Meyers.
Source: The University of Texas at Austin
Date: 09/12/20
ASHRAE - COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Preparedness Resource
Description:
Direct access to materials, guidance and research from ASHRAE, including the ASHRAE Position Document on Infectious Aerosols (also available in Spanish).
Source: American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Date: 06/07/20
UC Davis Energy and Efficiency Institute and NEMI White Paper on Ventilation Verification and Optimization in Educational Facilities
Description:
This White paper uses CDC and ASHRAE recommendations along with recent studies on ventilation in schools to develop a plan for ventilation verification. It can be downloaded and was updated June 4, 2020.
Source: National Energy Management Institute
Date: 03/12/21
NCDHHS - North Carolina Electronic Disease Surveillance System
Description:
North Carolina collects data from several sources and partners to monitor the COVID-19 pandemic in North Carolina. The dashboard contains data from many sources in the state.
Source: North Carolina Division of Health Service Regulation
Date: 06/07/20
Guide on respiratory protection against bioaerosols: Recommendations on its selection and use
Description:
The recommendations stated in this document apply to all people in charge of workers’ respiratory protection against bioaerosols, whether infectious or not. All the recommendations specifically relate to respiratory protection against bioaerosols. For other types of exposure (direct or indirect contact with the body), other means of protection must be considered: wearing sealed goggles or visor, gloves and coveralls, hand washing, vaccination, etc.
Source: Institut de recherche Robert-Sauvé en santé et en sécurité du travail (IRSST)
Date: 09/12/20
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Beyond Amoy Gardens: Completing the Incomplete Legacy, Clinical Infectious Diseases
Description:
Ignatius Tak-Sun Yu, Hong Qiu, Lap Ah Tse, Tze Wai Wong, Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Beyond Amoy Gardens: Completing the Incomplete Legacy, Clinical Infectious Diseases, Volume 58, Issue 5, 1 March 2014, Pages 683–686, https://doi.org/10.1093/cid/cit797
Source: Clinical Infectious Diseases
Date: 09/12/20
Airborne or droplet precautions for health workers treating COVID-19?
Description:
Airborne or droplet precautions for health workers treating COVID-19? Prateek Bahl, Con Doolan, Charitha de Silva, Abrar Ahmad Chughtai, Lydia Bourouiba, and C Raina MacIntyre; J Infect Dis. 2020 Apr 16 : jiaa189. Published online 2020 Apr 16. doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiaa189
Source: The Journal of Infectious Diseases
Date: 05/12/20
The coronavirus pandemic and aerosols: Does COVID-19 transmit via expiratory particles?
Description:
Sima Asadi, Nicole Bouvier, Anthony S. Wexler & William D. Ristenpart (2020) The coronavirus pandemic and aerosols: Does COVID-19 transmit via expiratory particles?, Aerosol Science and Technology, 54:6, 635-638, DOI: 10.1080/02786826.2020.1749229
Source: American Association for Aerosol Research - Aerosol Science and Technology Journal
Date: 07/19/20
CIDRAP - Commentary: COVID-19 transmission messages should hinge on science
Description:
Commentary by Dr. Lisa Brosseau, a national expert on respiratory protection and infectious diseases and professor (retired), University of Illinois at Chicago. March 16, 2020
Source: University of Minnesota: Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP)
Date: 05/10/20
Rapid Expert Consultation on the Possibility of Bioaerosol Spread of SARS-CoV-2 for the COVID-19 Pandemic (April 1, 2020)
Description:
This rapid expert consultation responds to a request from the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) concerning the possibility that the SARS-CoV-2 virus could be spread by conversation, in addition to sneeze/cough-induced droplets. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/25769.
Source: National Academies
Date: 05/10/20
Estimating the burden of United States workers exposed to infection or disease: A key factor in containing risk of COVID-19 infection.
Description:
Study concluded that "The large number of persons employed in occupations with frequent exposure to infection and disease underscores the importance of all workplaces developing risk response plans for COVID-19. Authors: Baker, MG, Peckham, TK, Seixas, NS; PLoS One. 2020 Apr 28; 15(4):e0232452. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232452. eCollection 2020.
Source: PLOS ONE
Date: 09/12/20
Roadmap to Pandemic Resilience (April 20, 2020)
Description:
This roadmap lays out the key concepts behind a pandemic response that massively scales up a program of testing, identifies a phased sectorial approach for mobilizing the economy, responsibilities at the federal level, the role of business, workers, and civil society, endorses proposals from other policy groups, and summarizes recommendations. This report was produced in partnership with The Rockefeller Foundation.
Source: Edmond J. Safra Center for Ethics at Harvard University
Date: 09/12/20
NIOSH - Generation and Behavior of Airborne Particles (Aerosols)
Description:
Presentation by Paul Baron, NIOSH Division of Applied Technology. Posted on NIOSH's Aerosols topic page, which covers, for example, measurement, control, and exposure characterization.
Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Date: 05/05/20
NIOSH Science Blog: Understanding the Use of Imported Non-NIOSH-Approved Respirators (4/23/2020)
Description:
This science blog discusses the response to the shortage of NIOSH-approved filtering facepiece respirators, the FDA emergency use authorization, and information about imported respirators.
Source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
Date: 05/03/20