Construction work is demanding—both physically and mentally—and the likelihood of injury or disability is higher than other sectors. As an industry, we have done an excellent job at emphasizing and improving site safety so that everyone goes home safe every day. But what about going home healthy?
While formal regulations, planning, and union collective bargaining agreements have helped address many health and safety risks, more holistic health and wellness issues, such as dehydration, weight management, poor air quality, and stress, are less commonly addressed.
New research on wellness in the construction sector highlights interventions that could be effective in addressing these issues.
1. Hydration stations. Dehydration can cause cognitive impairment and acute illness, and is linked with long-term health consequences like kidney stones and bladder cancer. Convenient, visible access to water is often considered the first step in addressing worker dehydration. In fact, many municipal and state laws require construction companies to supply water on their jobsites. Structure Tone’s Boston office not only supplies water to its jobsites, but goes one step further by delivering it from a hard-plumbed water source, which reduces the chance for contamination associated with a standard, five-gallon jug water dispenser system.
2. Access to healthy food. The prevalence of overweight employees within the construction industry is significantly higher than the general adult population. This has obvious health implications, but also business implications. Obesity can increase the risk of workplace disability, as well as decrease work ability and performance. Leading construction companies are addressing this issue head on. Turner Construction, for example, has implemented “wellness trailers” equipped to not only handle immediate medical responses, but also to help address chronic health issues such as obesity and Type 2 diabetes by providing healthy food and educational resources. Similarly, BCCI Construction recognizes the limitations of food storage on jobsites and has started providing food and beverages that are low in sugar and high in protein.
3. Space and tools for mindfulness. Workplace stress is linked to depression, anxiety, and even suicide. Empirical research on mindfulness in the construction sector supports the proposition that it could be beneficial to workers. Lendlease, for example, has recognized the importance of integrating mental health into its culture. Acknowledging that construction employees are more likely to experience high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression, they introduced Wellbeing Leave in 2015, which gives all employees one day every four months to address any health and wellbeing needs. Almost 70% of Lendlease’s employees used their Wellbeing Leave in 2018.
4. Improved air quality. Many construction companies use air quality monitoring and mitigation efforts such as water trucks, wind break installation, and stockpile coverings to manage air quality. Innovative companies, such as Pepper Construction, are going a step above by also addressing air quality within site trailers. Pepper’s trailers include such features as low-VOC/Greenguard Gold-certified acoustical panels and sheetrock, green cleaning supplies, walk-off mats, and operable windows that can provide fresh air.
Wellness in construction: The WELL Building Standard
Wellness features like these on construction sites aren’t just a minor workplace perk but a competitive advantage. Occupational injuries and illnesses cost the global economy over $1.25 trillion, with a disproportionately high rate of recorded accidents in the construction industry. Physically healthier, more mindful employees may be a key component to addressing this issue.
Luckily, construction organizations don’t have to start from scratch. Many of the wellness features outlined in the WELL Building Standard, such as those relating to the mind, nourishment, water, air, and physical activity, can be implemented outside of the typical corporate office on worksites and within construction trailers. Some forward-thinking construction companies like Structure Tone and BCCI have pursued WELL certification for their corporate offices to navigate and institute the associated behavioral changes before migrating those health and wellness opportunities to the jobsites.
BCCI has recently started surveying employees on jobsites to help identify the key impacts and strategize what wellness features to implement. What’s more, the Sustainability Construction Leaders group—sustainability leaders from national construction firms—and the resources behind the wellness building movement are ready to further help the industry integrate healthy workplace practices for construction workers.
About the Authors
Stephanie Timm, PhD, Senior Director, Delos; Whitney Austin Gray, PhD, Senior Vice President, Delos; Kena David, Director of Sustainability, BCCI Construction; Halie Colbourne, Sustainability Associate, BCCI Construction; Jennifer Taranto, Director of Sustainability, Structure Tone
Related Stories
Sports and Recreational Facilities | Mar 11, 2015
Foster + Partners wins bid for 2022 World Cup centerpiece stadium in Qatar
Norman Foster described the design as “an exciting step forward in stadium design—it will be the first to break the mold of the free-standing suburban concept, and instead anticipates the grid of this future city.”
Modular Building | Mar 10, 2015
Must see: 57-story modular skyscraper was completed in 19 days
After erecting the mega prefab tower in Changsha, China, modular builder BSB stated, “three floors in a day is China’s new normal.”
Sponsored | Metals | Mar 10, 2015
Metal Building Systems: A Rising Star in the Market
A new report by the Metal Building Manufacturer's Association explains the entity's efforts in refining and extending metal building systems as a construction choice.
Museums | Mar 9, 2015
Architecture based on astronomy principles for new planetarium in Shanghai
The ancient Chinese civilization left some of the earliest records of humans studying the stars and skies. To exhibit this long history, a new planetarium and astronomy museum is planned for construction in Shanghai.
Office Buildings | Mar 7, 2015
Chance encounters in workplace design: The winning ticket to the innovation lottery?
The logic behind the push to cultivate chance encounters supposes that innovation is akin to a lottery. But do chance encounters reliably and consistently yield anything of substance?
Justice Facilities | Mar 5, 2015
New courthouse blossoms into a civic space for one California town
The building's canopy suggests classical courthouse features of front porch and portico. It also helps connect the building with a public plaza that has re-centered civic activity and public gathering for the town.
Justice Facilities | Mar 5, 2015
State of the state: How state governments are funding construction projects
State budget shortfalls are making new construction and renovation projects a tough sell, leading lawmakers to seek alternative funding for these jobs.
Museums | Mar 5, 2015
A giant, silver loop in Dubai will house the Museum of the Future
The Sheikh of Dubai hopes the $136 million museum will serve as an incubator for ideas and real designs—a global destination for inventors and entrepreneurs.
Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2015
Charlotte, N.C., considers rule for gender-neutral public bathrooms
A few other cities, including Philadelphia, Austin, Texas, and Washington D.C., already have gender-neutral bathroom regulations.
Codes and Standards | Mar 5, 2015
FEMA cuts off funding to Indiana after Kokomo continues building stadium in flood zone
FEMA will withhold funding on $5.5 million worth of projects such as building tornado safe rooms in schools.