Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 14, 2026
11:28
A Coupled Experiment-finite Element Modeling Methodology for Assessing High Strain Rate Mechanical Response of Soft Biomaterials
Published on: May 18, 2015
Injury rates, severity, and drug testing programs in small construction companies
Katherine Elizabeth Schofield1, Bruce H Alexander, Susan Goodwin Gerberich
1University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN, USA. kteschofield@hotmail.com
Journal of Safety Research
|February 13, 2013
Summary
Construction drug testing programs may be linked to fewer injuries. Further research is needed to confirm this association and ensure accurate reporting and testing practices in the industry.
Area of Science:
- Occupational Health
- Workplace Safety
- Industrial Hygiene
Background:
- Construction industry workers face significant hazards.
- High rates of illicit drug and heavy alcohol use are prevalent in this occupation.
- Substance abuse poses risks to worker safety and project outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between drug-testing programs and injury rates in the construction industry.
- To determine if different types of drug-testing programs impact injury incidence.
- To provide data for informed decisions on workplace safety interventions.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of workers' compensation claims from 1,360 construction companies over six years.
- Classification of drug-testing programs into three categories: none, pre-employment/post-accident, and comprehensive (pre-employment/post-accident/random/suspicion).
- Statistical assessment of the relative risk (RR) of injuries based on the presence and type of drug-testing program.
Main Results:
- Drug-testing programs showed a non-significant trend towards lower injury rates compared to no program.
- Relative risks for all injuries were 0.85 and 0.97 for the two testing categories, respectively.
- Relative risks for lost-time injuries were 0.78 and 1.01, indicating variability.
- Results varied across different construction trades and union statuses.
Conclusions:
- Drug-testing programs in construction may be associated with reduced injury rates, though not statistically significant in this study.
- Careful consideration of accurate injury reporting and underlying safety practices is crucial.
- The quality and consistency of drug-testing protocols are important factors to evaluate.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Survey Safety
Surveying near highways, rough terrain, or power lines involves significant risks. Working along highways is particularly dangerous and requires the use of warning signs and flagmen. It is safest to avoid working directly on roads and use offsets whenever possible. When highway work is unavoidable, it must follow all safety guidelines. Surveyors should wear bright clothing, such as orange reflective vests, to ensure visibility to motorists, coworkers, and hunters. In construction zones, wearing...
01:25Deleterious Substances in Aggregate
Deleterious substances in aggregates can be detrimental to the quality and durability of concrete. These substances include organic impurities like loam, which interfere with cement hydration and are usually present in the sand. These prevent a good bond between aggregate and cement paste. Organic impurities can be detected using the colorimetric test, where the darkness of a solution after agitation indicates the level of organic content.
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
Another type of impurity is clay and fine material that...
01:14Design Example: Managing Concrete Workability
This example deals with managing the workability of concrete for a raft foundation project under hot weather conditions. Workability is crucial for ensuring the concrete is easy to place, compact, and finish. In this scenario, a slump test — a common method to measure the workability of fresh concrete — initially indicated low workability. This was attributed to the rapid water loss from the concrete mix, exacerbated by the high temperatures causing the course aggregates to heat up.
To address...
To address...
01:20Microcracking in Concrete
Microcracking in concrete refers to the tiny cracks that can form within the material even before any external load is applied. These microcracks typically occur at the interface between the coarse aggregate and the hydrated cement paste, often as a result of differential volume changes prompted by variations in stress-strain behavior, as well as thermal and moisture movement. Initially, these microcracks remain stable and do not grow substantially until the concrete is stressed to about 30...
01:11Hazard Rate
The hazard rate, also known as the hazard function or failure rate, is a statistical measure used to describe the instantaneous rate at which an event occurs, given that the event has not yet happened. From a probabilistic perspective, it represents the likelihood that a subject will experience the event in a very small time interval, conditional on surviving up to the beginning of that interval. In terms of frequency, the hazard rate can be viewed as the ratio of the number of events to the...
01:22Compacting Factor test
The compacting factor test is a method used to assess the workability of concrete. It is especially suitable for concrete mixes containing aggregates up to one and a half inches in size. This test involves specialized equipment consisting of two truncated cone-shaped hoppers and a cylinder, all with polished interior surfaces to minimize friction.
The procedure begins by placing concrete into the upper hopper without any compaction. Once filled, the bottom door of this hopper is opened,...
The procedure begins by placing concrete into the upper hopper without any compaction. Once filled, the bottom door of this hopper is opened,...