Employee wellness programs are becoming more popular among industries hiring white-collar workers. However, they have not gained traction for blue-collar workers. The disparity between the emphasis on health and wellness for employees in the digital development industry or the financial sector and construction or farm workers is stark. These disparities are more concerning when we consider that construction workers have both emotional and physical stress and hazards. Construction work is the second deadliest occupation in the U.S. Construction workers need robust measures to ensure their physical safety and emotional well-being.
This article will examine the common physical and emotional health hazards faced by Constriton workers and employee wellbeing programs that can protect their safety and improve their health.
Fatality Statistics in Construction Work
While there is an increased focus on workplace wellness, construction work accident-related deaths are increasing. Wellness begins with safety. If there is no safety at the workplace, there is no opportunity for physical or mental wellness for the workers. The following statistics present an alarming reality for the people building our homes and cities.
- In 2022, a worker died every 96 minutes due to a work-related accident in the U.S.
- Almost 1 in 5 workplace deaths happened in the construction Industry.
- Construction worker fatalities reached 1,056 in 2022.
- 13 out of 100,000 construction workers die each year from a construction work accident.
- From 2021 to 2022, fatal accidents in the construction industry increased by 11%.
- In 2022, 38.4% of construction worker deaths were due to “falls, slips, and trips.”
- Out of the 792 foreign-born Hispanic worker deaths, 316 were due to construction work accidents.
According to the Occupational Safety Administration (OSHA), most construction work-related deaths could have been prevented by following their construction standards. Following OSHA standards is not optional; this means that these people died on the job due to the employer’s negligence.
Injury Statistics in Construction Work
Workplace fatalities are the worst reminder of the lack of wellness and safety for construction workers. However, most workers don’t die when they suffer an accident. Still, those accidents can sometimes alter their lives by generating chronic pain, making it impossible for them to continue working or causing Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Here are some statistics about injuries in construction workplaces:
- 3 out of 1,000 construction workers suffered a non-fatal fall accident injury in 2022.
- 4.5 million construction work injuries required medical attention in 2022.
- One out of four construction workers admits not reporting a workplace injury.
- Over half of construction workers in 2023 were exposed to noise hazards.
- By the time they reach retirement age, more than half of construction workers have hearing problems due to work-related loud noise exposure.
- Construction workers between 25 and 34 are the most likely to suffer workplace accidents.
- In 2021, 169,200 workers suffered non-fatal injuries at work.
Mental Health Statistics in Construction Work
The Mental health of construction workers is in a dire state. Proof of that is the high suicide rates of construction workers. Here are some statistics that shed light on this harsh reality:
- 56 out of 100,000 construction workers commit suicide in the U.S., according to the CDC. That is considerably higher than the rate for the general population, which is 14.21 per 100,000 people.
- Suicide in construction workers is the second highest of all industries.
- More construction workers die due to suicide than from work-related accidents.
Suicide is the worst outcome of poor mental health in construction workers. However, a significant amount of workers who don’t commit suicide struggle with their mental health. Here are some statistics that illustrate this fact:
- 15% of construction workers have substance abuse disorder. That is almost double the percentage of the general population.
- 12% of construction workers struggle with high levels of alcohol consumption and addiction, compared with 7.5% of the general population.
- 1.3% have an opioid use disorder.
- Over 25% of worker fatal opioid overdoses happened to construction workers.
- Construction workers are more likely to die of an opioid overdose than in any other industry.
The dire symptoms of the state of construction worker’s mental state highlight the need for workplace wellness initiatives that are developed with a deep understanding of the challenges they face.
Health Hazards in the Construction Industry
The first concern and major stressor for construction workers is the risk of accidents that might lead to severe injuries or even death. According to OSHA, over 60% of construction site fatalities are caused by four hazards, which they named “The Fatal Four.”
1. Falls 36%
Falls from heights, including ladders, roofs, and scaffolds, are the leading cause of construction workers’ deaths. According to OSHA, these deaths are preventable by following their construction standards. That does not mean there will be no accidents. However, the accidents won’t be fatal if proper safety measures are followed. That is no surprise, considering that four of the ten most violated OSHA construction standards have to do with fall protection and safety when working at heights.
2. Struck by objects 10%
Objects, tools, construction materials, or debris hitting or falling on top of workers is the second cause of death at construction sites.
3. Electrocution 9%
Electrocution is the third leading cause of death for construction workers. However, the vast majority of construction workers who died due to electrocution were not electrical workers themselves. Lack of proper signaling for live wires or improper installations provokes most fatal electrocution accidents. One of the ten most cited violations of OSHA’s construction standards is “Control of Hazardous Energy.”
4. Caught in/between 2%
When a worker is caught between machinery, debris, construction materials, etc., they can suffer life-altering injuries or lose their lives.
Some of the most common safety hazards that do not lead to death are lack of eye protection and exposure to loud noises.
Multiple factors increase the probability of construction work accidents. One of them is the high temperatures workers are exposed to during the summer months and heat waves. Excessive heat exposure was cited as a leading cause of death for 2,300 people in the U.S. in 2023. However, according to a Texas A&M study, excessive heat generated the circumstances for the death of around 11,000 people and 120,000 emergency room visits in the U.S. in 2023. Heat exposure increases the risk of exhaustion, cramps, dizziness, and heat strokes. For construction workers handling heavy machinery, working at heights, or managing heavy loads, for construction workers, being exhausted or dizzy may lead to a fatal accident.
Mental Health Stressors in The Construction Industry
Construction workers are exposed to multiple mental health stressors. Any attempt by employers to develop corporate health programs must consider the main stressors workers are subjected to. Here is a list detailing some of them:
- PTSD from suffering or witnessing an accident.
- Chronic pain. From muscle and back pain to injury-related pain.
- Constant exposure to risky and life-threatening circumstances.
- Continuous risk-taking environment.
- Easy access to lethal objects.
- Long working hours.
- Unstable hours, schedules, and working teams.
- Economic insecurity.
- Lack of contact with family and friends due to working schedules, commuting times, and exhaustion.
Simple Strategies To Improve Employee Health and Wellness
The most important measure employers can take to increase construction worker wellness is to ensure their worker’s safety by rigorously following OSHA’s construction standards. That alone will save lives and increase work health. However, there are more simple measures construction site managers and employers can take to keep everyone safe. Here is a brief list:
1. Brakes.
Research has proven that taking shade and water breaks at least once every two hours lowers workers’ fatigue and stress and improves their productivity. Breaks are not only essential for workers’ well-being but also benefit employers.
2. Work distribution
During summertime and heat waves, distributing the heaviest or open-air work for the cooler parts of the day can help mitigate some of the worst effects of heat exhaustion.
3. Hydration reminders
Constant reminders for the team to drink water and stay hydrated can improve their physical well-being, especially during hot weather.
4. Nutrition
Providing nutritious meal programs or healthy meal and snack alternatives for workers can help make it easier for them to choose nutritious meals over junk food.
5. Open communication for safety concerns
Nothing beats open and clear communication paths to generate a trusting and safe working environment. Workers who know they will be thanked for signaling safety concerns and not suffer retaliation will feel more comfortable and safe at work.
Workplace Health Strategies
In addition to following safety standards and the simple actions mentioned above, construction companies can develop or hire staff wellness plans. Some of these programs start by training safety managers. These trainings involve:
- Incorporating mental health into safety protocols
- Regular mental health assessments
- Construction work culture transformation
- Development of support networks
- Sharing information and training to workers on stress management and reduction.
- Detecting and combating burnout.
- Stretch and fitness routines.
Conclusion
Construction workers are in dire need of employee wellness programs that can keep them safe and help mitigate the hazards and stressors they face every day. Building owners, contractors, developers, and employers often neglect construction workers’ safety, health, and well-being. However, workers deserve safety, well-being, and justice. If you are a construction worker who suffered an accident at work, hiring an experienced legal team to represent you will greatly increase your possibility of obtaining compensation that will help you achieve economic stability and peace of mind while you concentrate on recovering. Filing injury claims and lawsuits and working with successful lawyers will help you get the compensation you deserve and will make worker safety and well-being a priority for employers.
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.
