CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training to Receive 2019 Henry C. Turner Prize for I

The Prize recognizes CPWR—and in particular the work of Dr. Linda Goldenhar—for its efforts to promote and improve safety conditions for workers in the construction industry.

Since 1990, CPWR, a nonprofit organization, has reached hundreds of thousands of workers every year through research, training, and services. It provides vital safety and health resources to the construction industry, which have a positive impact on reducing occupational injuries, illnesses, and fatalities. CPWR typically has at least 15 multi-year research projects ongoing annually that address an array of safety hazards such as falls, electrocutions, and musculoskeletal disorders, which account for the majority of fatalities and injuries in the U.S. construction industry, and also health hazards including silica, welding fumes, and hearing loss.

In addition to having dedicated internal researchers, trainers, and communication experts, CPWR leads the National Construction Center for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and supports a diverse consortium of researchers and experts at universities, government agencies, unions, and corporations. The consortium members work closely with CPWR to identify the most pressing construction safety and health hazards, apply research methods to solve complex problems, and put solutions into practice to protect workers.

“CPWR has a tremendous commitment to help the construction industry eliminate or reduce hazards and promote the safety and welfare of construction workers.” said Peter Davoren, president and chief executive officer of Turner Construction Company. “CPWR is making a difference as they bring research into action with large, medium and small contracting companies as well as with trade labor.”

As CPWR’s director of evaluation and research, Dr. Goldenhar’s knowledge and commitment to construction worker safety has furthered CPWR’s mission to prevent injuries and save lives. Specifically, she has been leading research projects to investigate jobsite safety climate, safety leadership, and safety management systems, and then working with construction industry stakeholders to create practical tools they can use to make improvements on these important issues.

“Dr. Goldenhar is known for her wisdom, out of the box thinking, experience, hard work, and dedication to the betterment of worker safety and health,” said Cindy DePrater, executive vice president of Turner Construction Company, and a member of the Turner Prize jury.

By conducting industry-driven research on existing and emerging hazards, CPWR works to better understand risks, analyze and interpret key data, and find practical solutions and approaches to protect workers. CPWR will use the Turner Prize’s $25,000 honorarium to explore novel ways to reach small employers to encourage the adoption of proven strategies to improve safety and health on the job.

“I want to thank Turner Construction Company and the National Building Museum for this amazing honor,” said Dr. Goldenhar. “We don’t do this kind of work with the thought of receiving such recognition, but it sure has been wonderful sharing the exciting news. Working with our industry partners to address important safety and health issues has been incredibly rewarding and I look forward to continue doing that moving forward.”

“We are incredibly honored to receive such a distinguished prize for innovation,” said CPWR executive director Chris Cain. “Seeing Linda’s work called out for this Prize is really rewarding, as her work in safety culture, climate, and leadership training is both responsive to what sophisticated employers in our industry want, and is making a huge impact. This award also gives us the opportunity to spread the word on our whole portfolio of research projects and findings, as well as the free resources and tools we offer to the entire construction industry.”

Turner’s Peter Davoren and National Building Museum executive director Chase Rynd will present the award to CPWR on March 12, during Turner’s annual Innovation Summit in San Jose, California.

About the Henry C. Turner Prize for Innovation in Construction
The Prize, named after the founder of Turner Construction Company, recognizes an invention, an innovative methodology, and/or exceptional leadership by an individual or team of individuals in construction technology including construction techniques, innovations and practices, project management, and engineering design. It is presented with a $25,000 honorarium.

Recipients of the Turner Prize include champions of emerging technology and tools, architectural visionaries, pioneers in sustainability, leaders in the preparation of a 21st century workforce, and other industry innovators and thought leaders.

Past winners of the Turner Prize:
SBP
discoverE
Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat
Department of Architecture Engineering of the Pennsylvania State University
Lean Construction Institute
Society of Women Engineers
Caterpillar, Inc.
Engineers without Borders
Charles H. Thornton
Gehry Partners and Gehry Technologies
Dr. Paul Teicholz
U.S. Green Building Council
Charles A. DeBenedittis
I.M. Pei
Leslie E. Robertson
About Turner Construction Company
Turner is a North America-based, international construction services company. Founded in 1902, Turner first made its mark on the industry pioneering the use of steel-reinforced concrete for general building, which enabled the company to deliver safer, stronger, and more efficient buildings to clients. The company continues to embrace emerging technologies and offers an increasingly diverse set of services. With an annual construction volume of $12 billion, Turner is the largest builder in the United States, ranking first in the major market segments of the building construction field, including healthcare, education, sports, commercial, and green building. The firm is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, one of the world’s leading international construction service providers. For more information please visit www.turnerconstruction.com.

About the National Building Museum
The National Building Museum inspires curiosity about the world we design and build. We believe that understanding the history and impact of architecture, engineering, landscape architecture, construction, and design is important for all ages. Through exhibitions and educational programs, we show how the built world has power to shape our lives, communities, and futures. Public inquiries: 202.272.2448 or visit www.nbm.org. Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

About CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training
CPWR is a nonprofit construction safety and health research and training organization created by the North America’s Building Trades Unions, with an organizational mission to improve working conditions in the U.S. construction industry. It is a preeminent national and international association focused on construction workers’ safety and health. For almost 30 years CPWR has strived to prevent injuries and save lives through research, service and training identifying hazards, testing solutions, and developing free training programs and materials for contractors, workers, and other stakeholders in the construction industry. In addition to serving as the NIOSH-funded National Construction Center since 1990, CPWR administers large multi-consortia training and services programs through cooperative agreements, grants, and contracts with the U.S. Departments of Energy and Labor, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, and the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. See www.cpwr.com for more information about CPWR and its programs. Started in 1990, CPWR is the #1 safety resource for the construction industry.


Photo: Sacramento Entertainment and Sports Complex, courtesy Turner Construction Company.