May 1, 2023

‘Total Worker Health’ as the key to safer worker conditions

Photo by Bryna Brown/BNBuilders [enlarge]

BNBuilders holds biweekly safety stand-down events.

The construction industry is known for its dynamic and fast-paced work environment, with workers often exposed to various hazards and risks on the job. As a result, our workers face a multitude of safety challenges that can compromise their health and wellbeing, and implementing protocols and policies are a minimum necessity for safety. However, the alarming statistics on construction worker suicide rates magnify the need for jobsite safety plans that go beyond standard safety practices and, in fact, beyond the jobsite.

At BNBuilders, we recognize that every employee has thoughts, cares, and worries outside of work, and these elements play into their ability to concentrate and execute tasks safely. Therefore, caring about worker safety means caring for our workers beyond the jobsite.

For the past few years, BNBuilders has been building something new. Our Total Worker Health initiative seeks to take a holistic approach to the health and safety of our workers. The impact of COVID on our community prompted a philosophical evolution of how we approach safety, which now relies heavily on buy-in from our craft workers and creating a culture of transparency and trust within our teams.

THE JOURNEY TO TOTAL WORKER HEALTH

Safety has always been a top priority at BNBuilders. In addition to standard construction safety practices, our team leaders work tirelessly to ensure the efficacy and improvement of our safety program, employing tools like tracking and auditing safety statistics and engagement strategies like the “Why I Work Safe” campaign. But during COVID, things shifted for everyone. As the entire world shut down and we were living in the uncertainty of a pandemic-stricken society, it became clear that safety needed to include a bigger picture. We knew that to support our workers and ensure their safety, we needed to go beyond policy and create a program that prioritized psychological safety as well.

A HOLISTIC APPROACH

It has become increasingly clear that our personal lives affect our ability to perform at work. Consequently, there has been a shift in mindset about how we interact with and care for each other, illuminating the need for connection to ensure the health and safety of our team. In addition to a suicide rate that is three times the national average, construction workers also suffer higher incidents of risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.

While traditional safety programs focus on eliminating hazards and preventing injury, Total Worker Health recognizes that many factors, including workload, stress levels, coworker interactions, and general health and wellbeing impact worker safety. Keeping this in mind, we’ve built a program to empower our workers to be leaders and cultivate an environment of trust and respect. This includes:

• Providing mental health first aid training to our forepersons so they can recognize the signs when someone is struggling.

• Educating our workers on high-risk behaviors such as smoking, diet, and how to incorporate exercise into their daily routines.

• Encouraging workers’ feedback on work conditions and near misses by rewarding them with our “On the Spot” recognition and Safety Champion program.

• Performing regular audits of projects to recognize hazards in the workplace and help workers get support by being available to listen and ask questions during the audit process.

• Holding safety summits and town halls to gather information and improve our safety process.

• Facilitating monthly toolbox talks on various subjects, from DEI to mental health and wellness.

• Refreshing our anti-discrimination, bullying, and harassment policy; and providing training in conflict resolution to all forepersons and superintendents.

• Employing the use of QR codes on jobsites to solicit continuous and honest feedback.

• Offering community-building events year-round to promote closer relationships and trust.

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE

Historically, construction culture has tended to be cliquish and insular, with little attention paid to mental and emotional wellbeing. However, with the implementation of Total Worker Health, we have seen a radical shift in the culture of the jobsite and, consequently, better safety statistics than ever.

Establishing an environment of safety and accountability is a key component of the program. This involves creating a workplace culture where safety is a top priority, and all workers are empowered to speak up if they see unsafe practices or conditions. We foster this by providing feedback and recognition for safe behaviors, establishing safety committees, and involving our workers in safety decision-making.

Implementing Total Worker Health has improved general health and wellbeing, reduced injury and illness rates, increased productivity and efficiency, decreased absenteeism and turnover, and improved employees’ morale. By prioritizing the health and safety of our workers, we create a safer, healthier, and more productive workplace for everyone. Ultimately, a healthy workforce is economical and an investment we are proud to make.

Leary Jones is the corporate safety director at BNBuilders, and has over 38 years of safety/risk management experience in the construction, industrial, refinery, military, and aviation industries.

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