Keltbray reduces stress levels with wellbeing pilot

Demolition contractor Keltbray has reduced stress and anxiety levels among 50 workers on a site in London by 27% and 10% respectively, as part of a wellbeing pilot.

The three-month programme, which explores the relationship between minds and hearts, is called Intelligent Energy Management.

In addition to the reduction in stress and anxiety levels, assessments found that feelings of appreciation increased by 92% among the workers, who also reported that they are 62% more likely to feel calm.

The training programme, which in addition to Keltbray employees included representatives from HS2 and the Costain-Skanska Joint Venture, was designed by Keltbray in partnership with Vector Equilibrium.

Reduce confusion and fatigue

Based on the Institute of HeartMath’s methodology, it involved a mixture of coaching and intervention to help improve the attendees’ wellbeing and communication skills, to reduce the symptoms of personal and professional stress such as confusion, fatigue and sleep disturbance, to make them more effective at problem solving and increase their personal and organisational coherence.

"It’s a tough climate for business generally, and in construction in particular, improving productivity is key. This trial demonstrates that, just like optimising the efficiency of plant and machinery, this investment in energy management for our people, who after all are our biggest asset, can help ensure they come to work focused and fully energised, and ready to take on the day’s challenges; juggling multiple disciplines and risks,” said training and  development director for Keltbray Group Holly Price, who initiated the trial.

Director of Vector Equilibrium, David Price added: "The overall goal of this programme was to provide this group of people with the tools to improve their self-awareness of what they regard as stressful situations, and to equip them with the strategies and skills that enable them to better self-regulate their energy and management of these, so that the stress levels associated with the challenges they face in their daily lives, both at home and at work, can be reduced. These findings suggest we have achieved this."

Keltbray’s involvement with this Intelligent Energy Management initiative follows the establishment of the Group’s KML Occupational Health business in 2014 to after the physical health of its workforce.

"We very much see this trial as a natural progression in how we evolve the care for our people and bring their physical health into balance with their mental and emotional wellbeing, and are now working with Vector Equilibrium to develop digital technology that will help to sustain the positive effects of this programme, and extend the reach to people on other projects," said Price.