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: 'Building Resilience: Communities and Connections'
National Mental Health Month is an initiative of the Mental Health Foundation Australia (MHFA) to advocate for and raise awareness of Australian mental health. It is an important time where the Australian community comes together to raise awareness and promote better mental health for all. Throughout this month, many events have been organised in each state of Australia aiming to attract and unite Australians of all ages and backgrounds to raise awareness and promote better mental health for all. October is National Safe Work Month—a time to commit to building a safe and healthy workplace Being healthy and safe means being free from physical and psychological harm. A safe and healthy workplace benefits everyone. This is why, during October each year, Safe Work Australia asks businesses, employers and workers across Australia to join National Safe Work Month and commit to building safe and healthy workplaces for all Australians.
R U OK? inspire and empower everyone to meaningfully connect with the people around them and start a conversation with those in their world who may be struggling with life.
Safe Work Australia has released a new model Code of Practice on Managing Psychosocial Hazards at Work to provide practical guidance for persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) on their WHS duties to manage psychosocial risks from work. The model code of practice explains the laws and how to comply with them, with practical steps to manage workplace risks to psychological health. Preventing psychological harm is an essential part of creating a healthy and safe workplace. Managing psychosocial risks protects workers and also decreases the disruption associated with staff turnover and absenteeism and may improve broader organisational performance and productivity.
Safe Work Australia Chief Executive Officer Michelle Baxter said that psychosocial hazards are anything at work that may cause psychological harm, and can come from the way work is designed and managed, the working environment or behaviours including bullying, harassment, discrimination, aggression and violence. Prostate cancer diagnosis has reached a crisis point.
It is now the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia, overtaking breast cancer as the country's leading cause of cancer. Building better mental health in construction
Every second day we lose an Australian construction worker to suicide1 and construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide than an accident at work2. We urgently need to take action to address mental health in the building and construction industry. This month’s Mentally Healthy Workplaces Ambassador is Graham Ragg, Managing Director at Western Earthmoving Pty Ltd. Graham is passionate about promoting mental wellbeing in the construction industry and ensuring everyone gets the support they need. Graham speaks out about the need to challenge the traditional "tough guy" mentality in the construction industry. He is fostering an environment where people feel safe, valued, and genuinely care about each other. Watch Graham’s video to hear his advice on how businesses can focus on employee wellbeing and a positive work culture to improve mental health in the sector. Help us share the message We really appreciate your support in sharing the information included in the communication pack with your members, business partners and wider networks. Download the pack today Source: 1 Source: Mates in Construction https://mates.org.au/construction/the-problem 2 Source: Suicide in the Construction Industry Report, Mates in Construction, University of Newcastle and Deakin University 2016 |
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