Psychological Health and Safety and Public Works with Joseph Blackman

In episode 98, host Dr. I. David Daniels will speak with Joseph Blackman, founder of Vitendo Training Solutions and host of the Public Works Podcast, about psychological health and safety in public works. The Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, also known as the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA), is the largest long-term investment in the US economy and infrastructure in history. From 2022 to 2026, the law provides $550 billion in federal investment in roads, bridges, mass transit, water infrastructure, resilience, and broadband. Though many of these projects will be managed by private-sector construction companies, others will be managed by public-sector public works departments. Depending on the jurisdiction, the attention to and expertise in safety varies. Increased investment in public infrastructure will also increase the potential for exposure of workers to both physical and psychological hazards. One of the important components to reducing the stress associated with this work could be addressed by more effective training. This episode is a continuing conversation from an episode of the Public Works Podcast.