The Center to Protect Workers Rights' (CPWR) provides practical information for construction workers in many formats. Publications - some in Spanish - include hazard alerts for workers, fliers, booklets, and access to all of the information on their online library eLCOSH.

It is good for the economy and good for American democracy when workers join together in unions, despite the claims of some conservatives who are waging a campaign to block important legislation that would make it easier to join a union.

Only 12 percent of American workers are currently represented by unions, and those who attempt to unionize face an uphill battle. The Employee Free Choice Act, which is likely to be one of the most important issues debated when the 111th Congress starts in January, holds the promise of restoring workplace democracy for workers attempting to organize, boosting unionization rates, and improving the economic standing and workplace conditions for millions of American workers.

An in-depth report on U.S. crane fatalities found the number of crane-related deaths among construction workers is significant, with an average of 22 workers killed annually.

The ad campaign, which includes TV, radio, and print, is targeted at the following states: Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, and North Dakota.

During the presidential campaign, Barack Obama proposed an economic plan that would create 5 million "green collar" jobs in environmental industries. These represent the next frontier for U.S. manufacturing.

A new state law effective Jan. 1, 2009, requires individuals (not corporations, LLCs or partnerships) who work as independent contractors in the building construction industry to obtain an Independent Contractor Exemption Certificate (ICEC) from the Department of Labor and Industry.