Webinar for Suicide and Substance Abuse Prevention in the Construction Industry
STAFFORD, VA – October 14, 2021 – The Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA), the voice and technical resource of the U.S. spray foam industry, has announced a partnership with Cal Beyer, CWP and CSDZ to provide key education and resources to both spray foam and construction industry participants on suicide and substance abuse prevention. Fueled in part by ongoing stressors including the pandemic, as well as the Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) assessment of the construction industry having the second highest rate of suicide in the United States at 53.3 per 100,000 workers, the SPFA Board of Directors initiated its campaign to assist the industry. As part of the program, the SPFA on November 18 will host an informative webinar led by Cal Beyer, which will be accessible at no cost to all in the construction industry.
“As a leading construction trade association, we are acutely aware of both the suicide and substance abuse issues that plague our industry,” says Rick Duncan, executive director of the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance. “As the COVID-19 pandemic, building materials shortages and regular everyday challenges continue to negatively impact business and workers, it is increasingly imperative that organizations like ours provide key resources to members and the industry at-large.
Cal Beyer, CWP is vice president of workforce risk and worker wellbeing for CSDZ, a Holmes Murphy Company. Cal was instrumental in the launch of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention. He serves on the Executive Committee for the National Action Alliance for Suicide Prevention and the Expert Advisory Group for the Center for Workplace Mental Health.
On November 18 from 1:00 – 2:00pm eastern, Beyer will deliver a one-hour webinar entitled "Shining Light on Mental Health & Suicide Prevention.” The live webinar is open to all construction industry members and will be recorded and made easily accessible for later viewing. The webinar is part of the SPFA’s larger campaign providing key resources and information to help prevent suicide and substance abuse within the industry.
To access the SPFA’s full resources on suicide and substance abuse prevention, which includes statistics, supportive organizations, articles, tool box talks, national hotline information and much more, visit: https://www.sprayfoam.org/content.asp?admin=Y&contentid=400.
To register for the November 18 webinar, visit: https://www.sprayfoam.org/ev_calendar_day.asp?date=11%2F18%2F21&eventid=26
About Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA)
Founded in 1987, the Spray Polyurethane Foam Alliance (SPFA) is the voice, and educational and technical resource for the spray polyurethane foam industry. The Alliance is a 501(c)6 trade association comprised of contractors, manufacturers, and distributors of polyurethane foam, related equipment, and protective coatings, inspections, surface preparations, and other services. The organization supports the best practices and the growth of the industry through a number of core initiatives, including educational programs and events; the SPFA ISO-17024 Professional Certification Program providing professionals with the tools to differentiate themselves from competition and a reference for customers looking to hire qualified contractor services; technical services covering publication of literature and guidelines, safety materials, and representation of the industry with various construction code bodies; federal and state advocacy; industry promotion efforts including an annual convention and expo drawing 1,400 SPF professionals, publication of Sprayfoam Professional Magazine; and research and networking opportunities for members.
