What causes Stress in the Construction industry and how to manage it?

Did you know that an industry study conducted by Site Safe and Massey University investigated the negative effects of work-related stress on productivity, and the physical and emotional health of construction workers in New Zealand.

Stress is common in any industry which can result in significant health and safety issues. For example having poor communication, lack of collaboration, unrealistic timeframes leading to corner-cutting and then compromising the health and safety of workers.

A common trend that is also found within the construction industry is the lack of following procedures, policies and taking significant risks due to time constraints affecting the health and safety for everyone on site.

What the industry needs is a supportive working environment, greater empowerment of employees in decision-making processes on-site, and regular workload allocation reviews were common themes in the responses, cited by many as ways to reduce stress.

Small changes are being made especially with the effect Covid-19 had on the industry. Workers are checking in more with their supervisors and mental health is being monitored regularly and highlighted in toolbox meetings to decrease burnout and any incidents from occurring.

Overall it is about ensuring the safety of the workers on-site no matter what their role is and making sure they make it home to their whanau/ families.