Over half (52%) of Australian construction leaders have reported losing skilled workers due to higher levels of stress and burnout, according to research released by construction management software provider Procore Technologies. According to the research, work health and safety (WH&S) remains a top priority and the industry has increased investment in technology and data to reduce risk and improve safety outcomes.
Safe Work Month is happening this October, so now is the time to increase focus on improving work health and safety in your workplace, including the wellbeing of your employees.
Mark Safe Work Month by organising booking a speaker free of charge from icare’s Paralympian Speakers Program. Over 96% of employers report positive changes in their teams’ attitudes and actions towards safety after booking an icare speaker^. Steel Blue and Beyond Blue have released the results of a survey asking workers and employers in the trades, construction, resources, manufacturing and agriculture sectors about the impact of mental health on themselves and their worksites. The inaugural ‘Steel Blue Boot the Blues’ survey found that, of the more than 900 respondents, one in three reported experiencing high or very high levels of psychological distress in the 30 days before completing the survey. Additionally, 54% of all survey respondents reported experiencing feelings of hopelessness, extreme sadness (51%) and worthlessness (48%).
Steel Blue and Beyond Blue have urged workers and employers to break the stigma around mental health, with one in five survey respondents claiming they wouldn’t tell anyone if they had depression. While the majority believed depression is a real medical condition, one in 20 thought depression was a sign of personal weakness. Dr Grant Blashki, Lead Clinical Adviser for Beyond Blue, said the survey demonstrates that mental health problems are common amongst tradies, causing significant distress, though many still feel embarrassed to speak openly or seek assistance. This National Safe Work Month, Safe Work Australia encourages businesses, employers and workers across Australia to know safety, work safely and make health and safety at work a priority.
Being healthy and safe at work means being free from physical and psychological harm – no job should be unsafe and everyone can help create a safe workplace. National Safe Work Month is an opportunity to build awareness of work health and safety, encourage discussion about safety at work, and ensure everyone is aware of health and safety hazards and how to manage risks to keep workers safe. This year’s campaign will focus on various work health and safety topics each week: |
Archives
October 2023
Categories |
Mend Services - Making A Difference | NEWS |