Show Notes
What shocking trend is claiming more construction worker lives than falls and electrocutions combined?
In this episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Chris Cain, Executive Director of CPWR (the research and training arm of North America's Building Trades Unions). With her background as an industrial hygienist and years in OSHA enforcement, Cain brings unique expertise to construction safety challenges. Cain discusses advancing data-driven practices on fall prevention, heat exposure, ergonomics, and mental health, along with focusing on emerging concerns like the opioid crisis plaguing construction workers. "We're trying to foster that and to promote it, but when you think about occupational safety and health, when you're in a large firm, you think about it as part of your risk control," she explains. How can large contractors better mentor smaller firms in safety practices?
Chris Cain leads CPWR’s national efforts to make construction jobsites safer, healthier, and more resilient. She bridges research and the real world—advancing data-driven practices on fall prevention, heat and silica exposure, ergonomics, and mental health. Under her leadership, CPWR partners with labor, contractors, owners, and government to turn evidence into training, tools, and campaigns that save lives and improve performance across union construction.
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Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects.
Discussion points:
- (00:00) Chris Cain and her role leading CPWR's research-backed safety initiatives
- (03:48) Top safety challenges facing the construction industry today
- (09:52) Recent strides in preventing suicides and overdoses in construction
- (16:19) Helping small contractors adopt new safety technologies
- (21:01) How contractors can partner with CPWR for better safety outcomes
- Share with someone who would be interested, like, and subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!
Resources:
Chris Cain LinkedIn
CPWR Construction Chart Book
CPWR website for free educational materials and webinars
CPWR research and safety resources funded through NIOSH cooperative agreement
The Construction User Magazine back issues
The Construction User podcast archive
