Mental health

Managing the mental health of workers and your legal obligations

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The construction industry has made great strides with health and safety, especially around worker safety and preventing physical injuries and deaths. But there are huge improvements that still need to be made in protecting the mental health of workers. “Remember that an employer’s duty under the Health and Safety at…

What are firms’ responsibilities for lone workers?

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Lone-working in the construction industry has typically been the preserve of site-based staff, particularly in the infrastructure sector. The pandemic has changed this, however. The government’s call that “everyone who can work from home must do so” has meant many office workers are now working at home on their own,…

Boom in electrical firms’ mental health initiatives

Mental health report puts spotlight on construction

Research commissioned by the Electrical Contractors Association has revealed the vast majority its largest members have set up mental health and wellbeing initiatives. The report found that 89 per cent of the 24 largest ECA members by turnover surveyed had trained mental health first aiders. Some 83 per cent of…

Is the construction industry as safe as it seems?

Paul Gandy

The construction industry used to be regarded as a dangerous industry to work in. That is no longer the case. Significant progress has been made in reducing the number of accidents on buildings sites, with health and safety measures introduced many years ago now so commonplace they are taken for…

Barring coronavirus from canteens is no picnic

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Last week I happened to catch the first episode of Paul Hollywood Eats Japan, a TV travelogue in which the noted celebrity baker toured Japan to sample such cross-cultural delights as bread sold in tins and a cup-noodle museum. One of the segments showcased a Tokyo restaurant set up for solo…

The construction-worker death that won’t make the COVID-19 stats

Bill Hill CEO the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity

Coronavirus killed a construction worker two weeks ago. He did not die on an intensive care bed though, with a machine trying to breath for him. And he will not be included in the grim daily COVID-19 fatality statistics. This worker died in his family home. He took his own…

Mental health charity launches crisis appeal

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Industry mental health charity Lighthouse Club has launched a crisis appeal as it is set to lose around £700,000 due to the cancellation of fundraising events because of coronavirus. The charity is calling for donations to help keep its 24/7 helpline running and maintain its support services, including access to…

Public backlash as workers ‘vilified for following rules’

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Contractors are facing a public backlash as sites continue to operate following the national lockdown. Workers are being heckled from the street and are experiencing abuse on social media following national media coverage of active projects. There was confusion yesterday over whether jobs could run and comply with strict new…

Self-employed crisis calls surge as schools close

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Calls to the helpline dedicated to supporting construction industry workers in crisis have surged following the coronavirus outbreak. Speaking to Construction News yesterday, Bill Hill, chief executive of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, which runs the Construction Industry Helpline, said the industry’s large self-employed contingent had been hit by the…