The mental wellbeing of workers in the construction industry is a growing concern, with awareness of the psychosocial risks that impact daily life onsite increasing.

WorkSafe New Zealand has conducted several workplace surveys over the last five years that paint a picture of the experience of workers in the sector. These surveys provide clear insights into the factors affecting mental health and wellbeing in Aotearoa New Zealand’s construction industry, and highlight actions that can be taken to address them.

Construction is a demanding industry, and the psychological toll on workers is significant. According to WorkSafe New Zealand data, 25 per cent of construction workers reported experiencing a work-related mental health or wellbeing issue within the last year. Specific conditions included work-related anxiety (16 per cent), depression (14 per cent), and high stress levels (14 per cent). Additionally, seven per cent of construction workers experienced new mental health issues due to work‑related factors. These statistics highlight the urgent need for increased mental health support and workplace interventions within the construction industry.

Self-rated health and wellbeing

Self-rated health serves as a critical indicator of quality of life and overall wellbeing. When surveyed, construction workers rated their health similarly to workers in other industries; however, this does not negate the need for improved health and safety measures to address long-term psychological risks in the sector.

Work-related suicide in the construction industry

Perhaps the most alarming statistic from WorkSafe’s data is the rate of work-related suicides among construction workers. Between 2017 and 2021, research analysed 1678 coronial findings, and found that an estimated eight per cent of all work-related suicides occurred in the construction industry, averaging five deaths per year. All 16 construction workers who died by work-related suicide during this period faced significant work-related stressors.

The identified stressors included:

• job demands, workload and work pace
• job insecurity and precarious employment
• work-life balance
• social factors, including workplace bullying and victimisation
• work environment and injury-related stress
• performance management pressures
• the challenges of starting a new job or business.

This data underscores the need for targeted mental health interventions and stronger support networks for construction workers.

Bullying, harassment and violence in construction

Exposure to offensive workplace behaviours has been linked to both physical and psychological harm. WorkSafe’s data reveals that bullying (22 per cent), cyberbullying (20 per cent), threats of violence (16 per cent), sexual harassment (11 per cent), and physical violence (10 per cent) are significant concerns within the construction industry.

Many construction employers lack formal policies to address these issues. Alarmingly, 41 per cent of employers reported that they do not have a policy to manage incidents of bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment. Additionally, 48 per cent of employers do not have a policy to guide their response to violent incidents or threats of violence. These findings highlight a critical gap in workplace safety measures that must be addressed to create a healthier work environment.

Psychosocial risks and protective factors

Construction workers are more likely than workers in other industries to be exposed to:

• a faster pace of work
• role conflicts
• greater quantitative demands.

Despite these challenges, there are protective factors that contribute to workers’ resilience. Construction workers report a strong sense of purpose and meaning in their work, a sense of community within their teams, and clarity in their roles. These factors can mitigate some of the psychological risks inherent in the industry.

When asked what makes a good day at work, construction workers emphasised:

• strong interpersonal relationships
• recognition and rewards
• supportive organisational culture
• work-life balance.

Employer attitudes and mental health concerns

Between April 2022 and May 2023, seven per cent of all mental health work concerns reported to WorkSafe came from construction workers, indicating ongoing challenges in mental health support. Encouragingly, 84 per cent of construction employers acknowledge their responsibility for the mental wellbeing of their staff; however, there are still areas where improvements are needed.

Employers’ perceptions of health and safety also provide valuable insight into workplace culture. WorkSafe data reveals that:

• 70 per cent of construction employers make an effort to stay updated on health and safety legislation
• 63 per cent see health and safety as an investment in their business
• 88 per cent believe their workplace has a strong safety culture, where employees look out for each other.
• Some concerning statistics, however, remain:
• 36 per cent of employers follow health and safety regulations primarily to avoid penalties
• 28 per cent believe compliance is a financial burden with little benefit
• 27 per cent feel that management should not need to be involved in health and safety if workers use common sense.

These perspectives indicate that while there is a growing commitment to workplace safety, there is still work to be done in shifting mindsets towards proactive mental health and safety initiatives.

Despite recognition of the importance of workplace safety, there are gaps in implementation. Construction employers can improve their workplace culture by conducting assessments of workers’ exposure to health risks, providing health checks and monitoring for work-related health issues, ensuring that the work environment and equipment are suitable and fit-for-purpose, and developing formal management plans around health and safety.

By investing in mental health initiatives and enforcing stronger safety regulations, the construction industry can take significant steps towards protecting the wellbeing of its workforce.