According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention construction occupation has the highest rate of suicide across all careers.
Senior leadership of an organization, which incorporates strategic risk management into their business plan, knows that having a wellness plan in place for their employees is essential. Implementing a robust wellness plan in the workplace encourages healthy activities among employees and puts the emphasis on safety which, in turn, will lead to healthier, happier and more productive employees.
Mental health issues present a risk to any organization, most notably those in the construction industry. As construction job sites begin to open and workers return to work, their mental health is as important as their physical health and questions regarding this very subject should be included on any questionnaires and taken into consideration when safety evaluations are compiled. Anxiety, stress, grief, financial struggles, and health issues brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, may have a significant impact on employees everywhere, but particularly on a construction site. It is important to include mental health initiatives into any construction company’s wellness plan.
The ALS Group is proud to have been speaking with and has made a donation to Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), a non-profit organization, which exists to provide and disseminate information, resources, and training for suicide prevention and mental health promotion in construction with the goal of creating a zero-suicide industry. They have assisted our firm in not only realizing this issue is bigger than we thought, but have also provided amazing resources we have started to introduce to our clients.
If you need more information on any of the topics covered in this blog, or need help with any risk related issues please contact Albert Sica, Managing Principal, at 732.395.4251 or asica@thealsgroup.com.