Two new reports by insurance company CNA highlight the risk from employee abuse of opioid drugs, with the construction industry named as one of two industries at high risk.
An estimated 15.1% of construction workers and 6.5% of manufacturing workers have engaged in illicit drug use, CNA says. CNA used claim data to analyze industry averages against potential opioid abusers and post-accident spending.
"The opioid abuse epidemic is taking a toll on many aspects of the U.S. economy, including businesses' workers' compensation losses," said Bill Boyd, senior vice president, Risk Control, CNA. "The delay of returning injured employees to work can affect operations and, therefore, negatively impact a company's bottom line. Opioid abuse is a real and emerging risk for businesses to consider, and through these Risk Outlooks, I hope our customers will learn solutions to avoid return-to-work pitfalls."
"By partnering with leading construction and manufacturing associations, we have seen increased concern about prescription opioid abuse, as well as how it increases worker injuries and businesses' losses," said John Tatum, senior vice president, Middle Market, CNA. "Many of these associations are developing programs to educate their members about the issue in order to provide the tools, training, and resources they need to address opioid abuse in their own workplaces."
Related Stories
| Dec 9, 2012
Greenzone pop quiz
Greenbuild attendees share their thoughts with BD+C on the SAGE modular classroom.
| Dec 9, 2012
Modular classroom building makes the grade
SAGE modular classroom opens eyes, minds at Greenbuild 2012.
| Dec 9, 2012
14 great solutions
Welcome to the third installment of Building Design+Construction’s “Great Solutions,” highlighting 14 innovative technologies and products that you can put to work in your next project.
| Dec 9, 2012
D’ambrosio joins BD+C’s editorial board
D’Ambrosio, a 2009 selection to the magazine’s “40 Under 40” galaxy of AEC superstars, holds a bachelor’s in architectural engineering from the Pennsylvania State University.
| Dec 9, 2012
AEC professionals cautiously optimistic about commercial construction in ’13
Most economists say the U.S. is slowly emerging from the Great Recession, a view that was confirmed to some extent by an exclusive survey of 498 BD+C subscribers whose views we sought on the commercial construction industry’s outlook on business prospects for 2013.
| Dec 6, 2012
Suffolk Construction awarded Phase Two of Boston’s Old Colony redevelopment project
Project team breaks ground on South Boston public housing project designed for energy efficiency.
| Dec 5, 2012
Gilbane publishes Winter 2012 construction economic report
Report outlines impact of recent events; predicts continued movement, while slow, toward recovery.
| Dec 5, 2012
Bernards selected to build new Merced, Calif. high school campus
Designed by BCA Architects, the $76 million, 220,000-ft project encompasses a total of nine buildings.