UNITE Health and Safety
n By Rob Miguel
Minds United Be safe
latest on workers’ safety news Constructing a better mental health for our members
Recently there has been a significantly greater public awareness of mental health issues. Many of our members have been affected and our reps have been negotiating for prevention and support on behalf of members.
In the past few years, the pressure on workers has been intense as they have faced government cuts, social security reforms, the increased cost of living and threats to job security, pay and conditions. This had resulted in elevated levels of stress, anxiety and depression which invariably has led to mental health problems among our members. And as we know the construction sector fairs extremely poorly in managing all of this.
Construction workers – highly skilled and under valued
Prominent levels of skill and endurance are required to work in often unpleasant conditions for our people in this sector to shape our cities, homes and infrastructure. Yet all too often we are taken for granted and undervalued. The physical demands of construction work, together with its high-risk nature can have a silent impact on workers’ mental health.
Coupled with long hours, instability, and constant exposure to the elements, these and other factors can take a toll on workers’ mental well- being, leading to a high rate of mental health issues and suicide in the industry that are often overlooked.
Stress factors include:
• High-stress environments: Construction work frequently involves working under tight deadlines and budgets, which creates intense pressure to meet project goals. This stress can lead to anxiety and depression.
• Physical strain: The physically demanding nature of construction work can cause chronic pain and injuries and disability which in turn can lead to mental health issues.
• Job insecurity: Construction workers are often employed on a project-to-project basis, with bogus self-employment being endemic leading to job insecurity and financial instability.
• Working away from home: Causes strain on relationships, overburdened finances, an absence of home comfort and family around you, and can lead to drink and drug issues.
• Long hours: Construction workers frequently work long hours, including weekends and nights. This makes it challenging for workers to maintain a healthy work-life balance, leading to emotional and mental strain.
• Stigmatisation: The “tough guy” culture that often prevails in construction can lead to stigma around discussing mental health issues, preventing workers from seeking help when they need it. Often worried about losing work if they come forward with health issues.
18 Unite buildingWORKER Spring 2024
Ill-health figures The latest figures from HSE set out that there are 875,000 cases of work- related stress, depression, and anxiety over a year in the UK, 16,000 of those were construction workers, with many thousands in this sector not identified due to the stigma or fear of coming forward.
Overall, there are 69,000 Construction Workers Suffering from Work-Related ill health, such as muscular skeletal disorders and lung diseases.
See the HSE website for more details
www.hse.gov.uk/ statistics/causdis/
index.htm
Suicides
The starkest statistics are those on suicide, according to latest data from the Office for National Statistics covering England and Wales, workers in construction are now nearly four times more likely to take their own lives than in other sectors.
Suicide rates have also increased in recent years rising to over 500 per annum equivalent to two workers every day. The death toll equates to 34 people per 100,000 in employment – up from 26 per 100,000 seven years ago.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32
