Civil Contractors Federation Victoria chief executive John Kilgour said the construction industry was facing a “perfect storm” when it came to mental health issues among workers.
“We have cultural heritage plans, energy efficiency plans and COVID-safe plans, but we think it is time for construction businesses to have a mental health action plan,” Mr Kilgour said.
“We need to make a pledge to make mental health and wellbeing a priority in the workplace.”
The average levels of depression, anxiety and stress in construction workers exceed population norms by 40 per cent for depression, 38 per cent for anxiety and 37 per cent for stress, according to a 2018 Swinburne University study.
Having to deliver major projects amid the chaos of COVID-19 has exacerbated tensions among Victorian workers.
Victorian CCF project manager Adrian Panozzo is spearheading a program called Positive Plans, Positive Futures, which is set to equip Goulburn Valley contractors who sign up with a practical plan to protect the mental health of staff.
He hopes leaders in the Greater Shepparton construction sector step forward to participate, no matter the size of their workforce.
CCF Victoria will support owners and managers in the civil construction industry to develop business mental health action plans, which can be used to demonstrate capability when submitting tenders for projects.
These action plans are the first of their kind in the construction industry and are co-designed with input from all parts of the sector.
Mr Panozzo said Goulburn Valley contractors should focus on mental health injury prevention, and employers who were unmotivated to address the issue should know mental health injuries badly impacted productivity.
Mentally healthy workplaces are not only good for staff, they’re good for business.
“WorkSafe’s WorkWell Mental Health Improvement Fund says the costs of mental health claims will grow in the future,” Mr Panozzo said.
The high suicide rate among construction workers was already under scrutiny before the COVID-19 pandemic.
A January 2020 report from the Australian Government Productivity Commission found an “unprecedented pipeline of projects” in Victoria had the potential to increase the pressure and intensity of work practices within the construction industry.
“The ability to deliver these projects will depend upon the industry attracting new workers and sustaining a healthy and productive workforce,” the report said.
Every year 190 Australian construction workers take their own lives, which equates to one death by suicide every second day.
Research cited by the Productivity Commission found young male construction workers were particularly at risk of psychological distress, and were more than twice as likely to take their own lives as other young Australian men.
Tatura’s Brad and Lou Wereszczuk of NL Drainage won Employer of the Year at the 2021 Victorian Civil Contractors Federation Training Awards last month, and Mr Wereszczuk said poor mental health in the industry was of huge concern to him.
“I think a lot of contractors are a bit old-school, if you like, and they really should be investing time and energy into the safety, wellbeing and mental health of their staff,” he said.
He said checking in on staff mental health was as important as checking the oil in a piece of equipment — as both could break down without proper care.
CCF Victoria will hold an industry community event in Shepparton on Wednesday, November 17, 2021, to promote the benefits of the mental health action plan program to engineers, builders, labourers and other tradespeople across the sector.
For more information visit www.ccfvic.com.au/ccfvic-events
If you need mental health support, help is available. Call Lifeline on 13 11 14, or Mensline on 1300 78 99 78. In an emergency call 000.
