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AM🟦 Mental Health in the Construction Industry
Why It Can’t Be Ignored
The Australian construction industry is facing a serious mental health crisis.
⬜ Construction workers are six times more likely to die by suicide than from a workplace accident, with young workers at particularly high risk.
⬜ Under WHS laws, mental health is not optional; employers have a legal duty to manage psychosocial hazards, just like physical safety risks.
⬜ In construction, these hazards commonly include:
• Bullying, harassment, and poor workplace relationships
• Excessive workloads, unrealistic deadlines, and a lack of worker control
• Unsafe or traumatic job conditions
🟦 Managing these risks requires a practical approach:
⬜ Identify hazards, consult workers, and implement effective controls.
⬜ Strong planning, respectful leadership, clear communication, and safe job design make a real difference.
🟦 Supervisors don’t need to be mental health experts, but they do need to act early. Knowing the signs, starting supportive conversations, connecting workers to help, and staying engaged can save lives.
🟥 Free, confidential support is available 24/7, including Mates in Construction, Lifeline, Beyond Blue, and NSW Health Mental Health Line.
🟦 A mentally healthy site is a safer, more productive site.
🟦 Looking after people is not just the right thing to do; it’s a WHS responsibility.
@ameccollege
