USA: Stand-Down to Combat Surge in Construction Worker Suicides

OSHA is urging employers in the construction industry to participate in a weeklong safety stand-down to raise awareness about suicide prevention.

In 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that men working in construction have one of the highest suicide rates compared to other industries. Their rate of suicide is about four times higher than the general population.

U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration has formed a task force of industry partners, unions and educators to raise awareness of the types of stress that can push construction workers into depression and toward suicide.

The Suicide Prevention Safety Stand-Down is set for September 6 – 10 and will coincide with National Suicide Prevention Month.

Occupational Safety and Health Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor, Jim Frederick, said work-related stress can have severe impacts on mental health and without proper support may lead to substance abuse and even suicide.

“Workers in construction face many work-related stressors that may increase their risk factors for suicide, such as the uncertainty of seasonal work, demanding schedules and workplace injuries that are sometimes treated with opioids.”

An OSHA press release highlights some of the agency’s resources that employers can share and discuss with their workers during the weeklong stand-down, as well as resources produced by construction industry groups.

OSHA Acting Regional Administrator Billie Kizer in Kansas City said that like many workplace fatalities, suicides can be prevented.

“We encourage employers to use all available resources, familiarise themselves with the problem and learn to recognise the warning signs of depression. We also urge workers to seek help if they feel overwhelmed or overcome by a loss of hope.”

OSHA’s regional offices in Kansas City and St. Louis initiated the first stand-down in 2020 in partnership with Builders Association, Associated General Contractors of Missouri, University of Kansas, University of Iowa, Washington University, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, local unions and several employers.

More than 5,000 people participated in the 2020 Suicide Prevention Safety Stand-Down, and OSHA encourages others to join the effort in 2021.