CIOB-supported initiative will be backed by academic research into triggers impacting mental health in the industry. Cristina Lago reports.
A group of tier 1 health and safety executives has launched a major project to identify the root causes of poor mental health in construction and tackle the industry’s high suicide rate.
The Tier 1 H&S Leadership Group, which includes over a dozen directors from contractors such as Sir Robert McAlpine, Mace and Balfour Beatty, wants the industry to treat mental health with the same seriousness as physical health and safety through the introduction of proactive measures based on academic research.
It has partnered with the University of Warwick and construction charity Mates in Mind to produce a study into the triggers of poor mental health in the industry, drawing on research done in Australia, where the construction suicide rate is similar to the UK.
It will then review the data to propose short- and long-term proactive initiatives to address the underlying causes of impacting mental health found in the report. This could include recommendations around payment practices, changes on long working hours and measures tackling the lack of job security resulting from zero-hours contracts.
The project will also incorporate findings from CIOB’s global survey into mental health issues affecting construction workers.
‘Statistics are not changing’
David Bucksley, chair of CIOB’s HS&W advisory panel and EHS director for Europe at Turner and Townsend, is promoting the project through his involvement in the Tier 1 H&S Leadership Group.
“Although great work has been done over the past decade in the mental health space, it’s not changing the statistics and approximately two people take their own lives in the industry every day,” said Bucksley, whose previous roles include HS&W director at Sir Robert McAlpine.
“Awareness is great but we need to start looking at the root causes and main triggers that are causing people to have such poor mental health in construction compared to other industries.”
Initial findings from focus groups at UK construction projects suggest an overwhelming majority of industry workers had no mental health training and those who did felt “it was done to tick a box”.
The leadership group also found evidence suggesting workers experiencing acute stressors such as financial difficulties prior to suicide were less likely to have received mental health support.
The project is supported by CIOB, the HSE, the Construction Leadership Council, Build UK, CITB and the Lighthouse Club charity but is seeking additional support from other industry bodies to ensure a comprehensive approach.
Construction workers can text BOB to 85258 to access mental health support. The Lighthouse Club provides a confidential 24/7 support helpline on 0345 605 1956 to anyone in the industry who needs financial or wellbeing support.
Read more about this project at CIOB People
