Written by LDCA Staff
Image by ChatGPT

The construction industry has long been defined by its grit, tight deadlines, and the 'tough guy' culture; everyone wears a hard hat, steel toed boots and a high viz vest. While these characteristics successfully built the industry we know today, they've also created an industry  with  some serious problems: the industry struggles with exceptionally high rates of stress, burnout, and mental health crises.

The good news? The narrative is finally changing.

Across North America and locally, construction firms, industry leaders, and workers themselves are leading a movement  to create a more caring, supportive, and psychologically safe environment. It's an evolution that recognizes the health of the workforce is  part of a health and safety challenge and is as critical as the building process.

The Stark Reality That Sparked Change
The urgent need for a culture shift was driven by sobering statistics. Historically, the construction sector has ranked among the highest percentages of workers report experiencing significant stress and poor mental health.

The well-documental causal factors include:

• Physically demanding work that leads to chronic pain and fatigue.

• Extended time away from family and support systems due to remote sites and long shifts.

• A culture where openly discussing mental or emotional struggles was seen as a sign of weakness.

Today, LDCA leaders are moving away from simply reacting to incidents and are focusing on proactively building resilience and support from the ground up.

Ways the Industry is Building a Culture of Care
Infrastructure Health and Safety Association (IHSA) has integrated Mental Health as one of its core elements for Occupational Health and Safety. They now provide specialized training, and resources  to address workplace psychological wellness.

LiUNA local 1059 is considered a leader in supporting mental health for their members and families:

• Local 1059 runs its own specialized EAP, often in partnership with organizations like the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) Thames Valley Addiction & Mental Health Services.

• LiUNA Local 1059 has a Wellness Centre in London that aims to provide various health services, and their benefits package explicitly covers psychologist, psychotherapist, or social worker services, with a focus on no-cost access for members and their dependents. This removes the major barrier of cost and access.

• They offer virtual mental health therapy, online assessments, and a resource library, ensuring 24/7, confidential access.

Provincially, the Ontario General Contractors Association, (OGCA) and the Canadian Mental Health Association have teamed up to track data  in order tou unmask mental heal in the construction industry.  The Building & Construction Trades Council of Ontario developed Building Mental Health in the Construction Workplace, a training package for members.

The most progressive construction companies are now embedding well-being into their daily operations, treating mental health with the same priority as physical safety.

• Training key leaders, on and off site, how to recognize the signs of declining mental health, how to initiate conversation and provide direction to professional help and integrating wellness into the workflow.

• Establishing peer support networks to ensure help is available, in an approachable way.

• Normalizing the mental wellness conversation on the jobsite through Toolbox Talks, and resources prominently visible.

• Recognizing that exhaustion, declining mental wellness and stress are safety risks.

• Investing in Total Worker Health which includes a holistic approach which encourages physical activity, nutrition, work life balance and includes extended health benefits.

Leaders are learning to create a space where employees feel psychologically safe .

The Business Case for Being Better
The ethical and moral need to support workers is clear, the business benefits are equally as compelling:

• Data shows happier, healthier employees are more focused and more productive.

• Addressing mental health concerns reduces sick days and presenteeism (being at work but unable to function effectively).

• A supportive environment is a key factor in attracting and keeping talented workers, (particularly important as we face a critical skilled workforce shortage).

• Stress and distraction are major contributing factors to site accidents.

The construction industry is engaged in a profound culture rebuilding project. By valuing compassion, open dialogue, and support, it is not just building safer sites; it is building a stronger, more resilient future for our industry.

LDCA has a series of presentations called Mental Health Matters, designed to educate and support Human Resources and Health and Safety Professionals working for LDCA members. Interested? Find out more HERE