Safety has long been a priority in construction, but in this era of transparency and attention to workplace culture, the aspect of mental health and wellness has become an imperative—especially for forward-thinking construction executives. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranked construction as the second-highest suicide rate of all industries. The Office for National Statistics indicates that those who work in construction are 63 percent more at risk of death by suicide than the national average, making the risk for construction workers almost four times higher.

The Perfect Storm of Risk

While there are many reasons why suicide rates are high—the average demographics of construction workers are young, single and non-highly educated males—there are also characteristics that the Construction Financial Management Association (CFMA) refer to as the “perfect storm of risk,” which is composed of 11 aspects that create vulnerability to suicidal behaviors:

1. “Tough guy” culture of fearlessness, stoicism, and recklessness;
2. High-pressure environment (scheduling, budgeting, performance) with potential for failure;
3. Physical strain as the nature of the job;
4. Alcohol use;
5. Isolated locations and separation from community and family;
6. Seasonal employment;
7. Chronic pain;
8. Opioid use;
9. Lack of access to mental health services;
10. Stigma if there are mental health or even stress-related issues; and
11. Access to lethal means of self-harm (pills/firearms/falling).

Often, there are signs that someone is in trouble, hurting or needs help. For instance, a worker may have increased tardiness or absenteeism; even if they show up, they do not function well. There will also be heightened feelings of tension, conflict, anxiety and depression. They may be impaired from substances or even engage in substance use on site.

Signs may go unnoticed for the same reasons that make up the perfect storm. Typically, in male-dominated professions, the stereotype is that it is not acceptable to talk about feelings or stress. Added to this is the stress of the typical construction job, which is complicated and relies on workers to meet deadlines and job goals with expected levels of skill. On a jobsite, a mistake that requires one to do the work over or results in delays could cost projects hundreds of thousands of dollars or litigation.

An International Perspective

It is also important to note that nine of the 11 risk factors that compose this perfect storm are also facets of modern-day slavery or bonded labor. Those who are enslaved are usually in isolated locations, have extreme physical strain because of the inhumane work they are forced to do, have no access to any services since most are undocumented and are forced into the same culture of machismo that dominates the field. Often, they do not feel they can even tell their families or communities what is happening to them because of the stigma of shame and powerlessness over their situation—in many situations, employees many may not be permitted to have any contact. For those who are in debt bondage, they will have no access to medical care, much less mental health services or other resources.

Technological Solutions

The role of innovation and technology has the potential to play a crucial part in addressing this growing issue. Interventions such as the Construction Industry Helpline and Crisis Text Line use mobile and web-based technology to provide mental health information and services. Mechanisms such as onsite breathalyzers can be used to regulate equipment operation. Drug tests based on fingerprints read by intelligent fingerprint readers for randomized testing can also be an asset (as there is often a fine line between overdose and suicide).

Technologies such as construction management software can mitigate risk by creating a culture of transparency and access to knowledge at an unprecedented rate. For instance, anomalies in productivity may be identified through business intelligence software, which can compare baseline measures and forecasts to actual numbers. Real-time data capture can alert managers and leadership to the needs of their workers.

Construction Executives Play Pivotal Role

Leadership and executives must be the first to take a stand for comprehensive definitions of safety, particularly to include mental health wellness as an important aspect. Leadership is critical in guiding the cultural and organizational norms that will create change the industry, especially around sensitive topics such as workers’ stressors.

The potential for the c-suite to model strong levels of support is the largest determining factor in whether or not organizational cultures will shift. Many leaders have already led the way by incorporating mental health issues into their toolboxes, environments and safety trainings. These best practices cannot just be exceptions to the rule—they must be replicated and brought to scale. After all, it’s a matter of life and death.