Construction workers have strict deadlines, but burnout and tiredness plague the whole team. Mental health and fatigue problems are some of the most prevalent health concerns in the industry. Fortunately, there are ways to combat them. Taking action to mitigate the impacts of mental health and fatigue is essential for preventing fatalities, absenteeism, morale losses, and more. You can cultivate kinder environments by building awareness and implementing a few simple strategies.

Why Stress and Fatigue Are Pertinent Construction Issues

In 2022, the industry would have required an additional 650,000 workers in order to meet demands and expectations for sector spending. The current construction labor shortage is a culmination of several factors, including but not limited to:

• Disinterest in trades
• Gender inequity
• Covid-19
• Aging workforce
• Lack of educational opportunities and awareness

The lack of support on job sites puts pressure on contractors who show up every day. They are forced to work long hours in intense environments, often exposed to the elements and working alongside other equally burned-out staff. 

This puts severe mental strain on everyone. They must accomplish high-quality work on tight or unrealistic schedules while facing physical safety risks. Studies show these environments make workers feel like they have a lack of agency in the workplace, exacerbating fear and anxiety. Assessments of workers from the Netherlands showed 10.9% of bricklayers had post-traumatic stress disorder, and 19.6% of supervisors faced depression.

Inconsistency is another reason the workforce gets stressed. The weather is already unpredictable enough, but unexpected changes to anyone’s work schedule can instantly impact their financial security. Despite the need for consistent work, some could go without for months, while others are so overworked they do not see their families. Around 86% of those surveyed in Australia experienced stress because they missed special events, and 68% reported relationship troubles.

What Stressors Influence Workers the Most

What physical and mental ailments can impact construction workers?

Physical

Construction workers put their whole bodies on the line daily. Most experience musculoskeletal problems from heavy lifting and manual labor. Subsequently, injuries, such as trips and falls, can occur because the body has weakened. Elemental exposure, such as heat stress or freezing temperatures, causes extra strain. Around one in four workers claimed overexertion caused an injury.

Researchers are discovering the prevalence and diversity of long-term health conditions, which may include:

• Auditory problems from noise pollution and intense vibrations
• Respiratory problems from inhaling gases and particles
• Cancer related to asbestos exposure
• Circulatory concerns from varicose veins
• Blood pressure spikes

Mental

Demand for construction work is higher than ever, and companies are taking on as many projects as possible to boost revenue and provide communities with the necessary structures. However, you can quickly internalize these high-pressure deadlines, transforming them into personal failures if you do not meet them. In reality, the supervisor’s job is to manage time and only take on as much work as staffing allows.

You may also have job insecurity, leading you to wonder every day if you will have a job tomorrow. This is not sustainable, and this worry hurts loved ones who may be concerned for your wellbeing and who may or may not rely on you financially. The guilt of adding stress to them can make matters worse. This could lead to substance abuse with illicit drugs, which 11.6% of workers admitted to because of mental health crises.

There is also a mental element to the physical stressors. You may be concerned with short- and long-term medical problems — you never know what could show up on a scan in a decade because of your construction work. 

Additionally, exhaustion from long work days, missing friends and family, and bearing the burdens of unrealistic project timelines may cause you to dismiss self-care. It becomes easier to justify skipping good habits because they require mental and physical energy you lack. You may forgo cooking a balanced meal because of how tired you are or cope in unhealthy ways to pass what little time you have to yourself. The fear of unknown future health concerns adds to the fatigue caused by immediate injuries, negligence of good habits, and dismissal of a healthy lifestyle.

How Companies and Workers Should Address Fatigue and Stress

Companies and contractors must change conditions, but each has different roles to play.

Companies Must Support Staff

Employers need to meet timelines, follow compliance, and stay profitable, though it should never be at the expense of their team. Here is what they should be doing for you to support your mental health:

• Have strict break policies and adequate time-off accrual
• Hire professionals for on-site stress relief
• Make working conditions more ergonomic and safe
• Avoid overloading project obligations
• Promote health and wellness programs
• Interview and check in with staff at regular intervals

Workers Must Focus on Themselves

Self-care will protect you from the stressors of construction environments, making you feel more engaged and excited about what you accomplish in a workday. These are the best strategies for helping you stay energetic and mentally resilient, no matter what happens:

• Get enough sleep
• Stay hydrated and eat a nutritious, balanced diet
• Set boundaries with supervisors on work hours
• Take time off
• Engage in mindfulness, meditation, and focused breathing
• Seek therapy and other medical support
• Practice time management during projects to establish control

The most important thing you can do to change the construction industry’s approach to mental health is to aid a culture shift. There is a profound mental health stigma, which has worsened over time. Let yourself be vulnerable with co-workers and team leads by openly discussing your concerns. It could start a trend to normalize talking about and taking action regarding this crisis.

Mental Health Equals Safety

The gravity of strong mental health and rest is incomparable for construction workers. Too many years of long work hours and physically demanding tasks put unhealthy expectations on this workforce. The industry must work harder to protect current employees and encourage new faces to join. Without managing stress and fatigue, the sector will continue to endure labor shortages and unattainable demands.