ROADS REVIEW
FOR THE ROAD REVIEW SECTION THIS MONTH, WE ASKED THE INDUSTRY DECISION-MAKERS, ‘HOW CAN THE INDUSTRY BETTER SUPPORT WORKERS MENTALLY?’
PETER COLACINO, CHIEF OF POLICY AND RESEARCH, INFRASTRUCTURE AUSTRALIA Rates of depression, anxiety and stress within our sector exceed population norms by 40 per cent for depression, 38 per cent for anxiety and 37 per cent for stress. Physical complaints were observed to be 50 per cent higher than the normal population; and 75 per cent of respondents were suffering moderate to high levels of stress. Infrastructure Australia’s Delivering Outcomes identified the need to review the way the industry approaches People, [with a] focus on expanding ‘health and safety’ to a broader consideration of ‘health and wellbeing’. This can include reviewing and optimising work patterns to support the health, safety and wellbeing outcomes and tracking hours worked by employees to implement measures to mitigate potential to overwork.
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ROADS MAY 2022
SARAH BACHMANN, CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, NATIONAL PRECAST CONCRETE ASSOCIATION AUSTRALIA All good business practices emanate from the top and measure of an organisation’s mental health score is no exception. Healthy leaders are more likely to incite healthy workforces. With today’s commercial and civil construction climate setting unprecedented challenges, it is no wonder that mental health has become a focus. Unfair and fixed price contracts, subcontractors wearing disproportionate risk, non-payment, unrealistic deadlines, … the list goes on. Mental health challenges must be tackled head on, from the top down, and inclusive of those at the top. Organisations like Mates in Construction provide valuable services. But importantly, every one of us has a role to play in fair play and treating one another with respect, which will have a positive impact on all of our mental health.
