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Digital EditionMental Health Is the Next Jobsite Hazard Construction Must Address
Construction has always been a dangerous industry, but today’s workers face risks that extend far beyond physical safety hazards.
While heavy machinery accidents, falls, and workplace injuries dominate the headlines, construction workers also have alarming rates of depression, substance abuse, and suicide.
Further compounding the issue is that the predominantly male workforce harbors cultural stigmas around mental health, preventing many from seeking help when they need it the most.
“Construction is a high-pressure industry, and burnout, stress, and mental health challenges can directly impact safety and productivity. We’re working with clients to promote a culture of care, integrating mental health resources into safety programs and encouraging open dialogue on job sites,” said David DeSilva, head of construction at The Harford.
Construction Growth Amid Rising Safety Concerns
The construction industry is forecast to experience strong demand in the coming years, growing from $11.39 trillion in 2024 to $16.11 trillion in 2030, according to Deloitte.
Construction will always be a hazardous industry by default due to the inherent risks associated with heights, tools, heavy machinery, and manual tasks. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ranks it as the most dangerous industry by number and rate of fatal work injuries.
According to the Liberty Mutual Workplace Safety Index, falls to a lower level are the most significant cause of accidents, accounting for more than 22% of all injuries. Other causes of injuries include overexertion involving outside sources (18.5%), being struck by an object or equipment (13.6%), falls on the same level (12.2%), and other exertions (7.5%).
David DeSilva, head of construction, The Harford
Aldo Fucentese, senior vice president and chief underwriting officer of construction at Liberty Mutual Insurance, notes that the growing labor shortage is also increasing the risks. He stated that the construction industry is facing a critical shortage of over 700,000 skilled workers and has turnover rates as high as 40% for certain field positions.
The high turnover has created a “dangerous cycle” in which new workers are often rushed into complex jobs with minimal training, Fucentese said. Claims frequency data reveals a U-shaped curve in relation to worker tenure and accidents. Incident rates are typically higher among new employees in their first year, then decrease with experience, and rise again for workers over 50 years old.
“They can have a lot of training and try to reduce turnover. But there’s enhanced risk with an aging workforce and so many new people always coming on the job,” Fucentese said.
Silent Struggles in a High-Stakes Industry
While physical risks in the industry are well-documented, workers are also quietly suffering from growing emotional risks. In addition to operating in a high-stress environment, most are also facing external societal issues, such as mounting financial pressures, economic uncertainty, and problems at home. Yet many men in the construction industry value a macho culture where talking about mental health can be seen as a sign of weakness.
“The vast majority of construction workers, probably close to 90%, are male. And many men don’t like to talk about mental issues, which adds to the problem. They may see it more as a weakness than they do health care,” Fucentese said.
The construction industry has a rate of 53.3 suicides per 100,000 U.S. workers, a rate four times higher than the national average also five times higher than all other construction facilities combined, according to OSHA. The issue has become so serious that several large contractors and volunteer groups now hold a National Construction Suicide Prevention Week every September.
The high-pressure environment of dangerous conditions, tight deadlines, and physical demands can have a deteriorating effect on mental health, said Robert DiBiase, executive vice president and national director at Alliant Construction Services.
Substance abuse is another growing problem, and impaired equipment operators pose significant risks to themselves and coworkers. But because many construction workers want to be “seen as tough, self-reliant people,” they often won’t ask for help, he said.
“They are hard and fast guys that will climb 1,000 feet in the air like Superman. And whether it’s something at home or something else bothering them, they don’t want to talk about things that may lead them to appear vulnerable or needing support,” Dibiase said.
New workers with limited training often have self-doubt and anxiety about performing specialized tasks on large projects. The combination of inexperience and a high-stakes environment creates a mindset that can lead to poor decision-making and an increased risk of accidents.
Meanwhile, the aging workforce also faces its own unique mental health challenges as their physical capabilities decline while demand for their skills remains high. These workers may lack confidence in their physical abilities while feeling pressured to stay in the workforce due to labor shortages or monetary reasons.
“Their physical challenges related to aging may lead them to doubt themselves, but also wonder who’s going to be on the side to complete the work and if something goes wrong,” said Jon Tellekamp, chief underwriting officer, construction and energy, at AXA XL. “There’s a big mental component that can add to the risk.”
Shifting Focus from Physical to Holistic Safety
While the construction industry has long had programs to mitigate physical risks and improve safety, these efforts are being further enhanced with the use of 3D technology.
Many companies now utilize real-time site monitoring with Internet of Things (IoT) devices, drones, and wearable technologies to help identify hazards and potential incidents before they occur. Digital twins and BIM modeling also enable contractors to consider and engineer safety risks during the design phase, rather than encountering them during construction.
More construction companies and insurers are also trying to address mental health. Progressive contractors are implementing Employee Assistance Programs that integrate mental health training and peer support networks into safety education.
Some companies are also embedding mental health modules directly into onboarding processes to normalize these conversations at the start. Others have stress management programs that offer access and resources to support mental well-being, such as counseling services and mental health professionals.
“It has become a real problem, and most of my clients now have support for mental health and discussions where people can share to take away the stigma. The industry is starting to address it, but there is a lot of work to do,” Fucentese said
Industry organizations like Alliant are also trying to make mental health discussions a routine, like toolbox talks about physical safety. The company has hosted multiple public events focused on suicide prevention and awareness, Diabiase said. Nationwide also has a campaign focused on “breaking the silence” in the construction industry, said Tonya Hahn, senior AVP and national construction practice leader at Nationwide.
“True strength comes from the courage to be vulnerable. True leadership includes the willingness to listen. True safety includes mental health. When we share stories, we build connection and we save lives,” Hahn said.
National programs are also taking a more active role in the industry. For example, SAVE, the Suicide Awareness Voices of Education, offers a program for the construction industry called IBEAM (Ideal Body, Environment, and Mind). It works to move construction industry risk control efforts beyond physical loss, offering virtual education and training to enhance awareness related to mental health and suicide.
“The best thing we can do is lead by example and have broader conversations about it,” Tellekamp said. “It’s a health issue, and whether it’s in construction or our personal lives, a lot is going undiagnosed and untreated.” &
