4 RESULTS
Work, Stress, and Construction Industry’s Health: Pandemic squeeze on already fragile workforce

Work, Stress, and Construction Industry’s Health: Pandemic squeeze on already fragile workforce

The COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the nation?s drug overdose epidemic with both forces significantly impacting the safety, health, and well-being of the construction workforce. Our program is engaged in developing strategies to stem the tide of overdose deaths and help the rising numbers of construction workers suffering from opioid misuse disorder and poor mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our findings informed a suite of communication and training interventions, communicating the big picture and systemic issues to construction decision-makers who can change conditions for the workforce. We are also reaching out to the people most affected, those who are struggling with mental health and substance misuse disorder.

Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest

Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest

The vision of the Healthier Workforce Center of the Midwest is to create a safe, healthy, and productive workforce through basic and applied research, participatory approaches, and theory driven education and translation activities. The HWC is a collaboration which includes the University of Iowa, Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Kansas Medical Center, WorkWell KS, and two NIOSH Total Worker Health? Affiliates (the Nebraska Safety Council and the St. Louis Area Business Health Coalition).

NIOSH Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Program: Work, Stress, and Health

NIOSH Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Program: Work, Stress, and Health

The NIOSH Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing Program (AgFF) provides leadership and coordination between intra- and extramural efforts nationwide to prevent work-related injuries and illnesses among the nation?s agricultural, forestry, and fishing workers (AgFF). AgFF workers are exposed to high-risk, unpredictable environments, as well as long hours and shift work. Likewise, the majority of AgFF workers are in non-standard work arrangements, and unlike many sectors, most AgFF workers are specifically exempted in many regulatory policies regarding minimum wage, overtime, maximum hours per shift, child labor, and health and safety enforcement. This poster will highlight the NIOSH AgFF Program?s recent and future research, training, and outreach initiatives related to mental health and stress, sleep deprivation and fatigue, aging, workplace violence, non-standard work arrangements, and health equity in order to improve the overall health of all AgFF workers.

Better Recovery from Stress through Improved Boundary Management: Test of an Intervention

Better Recovery from Stress through Improved Boundary Management: Test of an Intervention

This study details the creation and initial testing of a training program designed to teach college students about recovery experiences and the importance of psychological detachment and boundary management tactics which can help people manage occupational stress. We created a 90 minute training program for undergraduate business students. The results showed significant improvements in participants’ trained knowledge and an increase in psychological detachment over time. This research suggests that training aimed at enhancing knowledge of recovery and skill in the use of boundary management tactics can be beneficial for college students and should possibly be modified and tested in other populations.