The Health & Safety Executive has joined forces with the Construction Leadership Council to encourage the whole industry to start a conversation about employee stress.

The past 12 months have placed unprecedented strains on workers as companies have adopted new ways of working in response to the pandemic. This builds on some of the already recognised stresses of working in the complex construction working environment.

The Health & Safety Executive has moved to make sure that every business has the support it needs to look after its employees. It has published Talking Toolkit; a guide on how to prevent work-related stress in construction.

Now the Construction Leadership Council is encouraging all businesses from across the industry to put their guide into the hands of their teams, inspiring better conversations to identify and manage stress for construction employees.

HSE chief inspector of construction Sarah Jardine said: “We have worked with industry partners to develop the toolkit, which specifically homes in on the particular work–related stress challenges that may be experienced by those working in construction.

Stress, depression and anxiety are the second biggest cause of ill–health in the sector, so tackling them offers the chance to make a real difference to thousands working in the sector”

Construction Leadership Council co–chair Andy Mitchell said “While the industry has made an outstanding effort to protect employees from the effects of the pandemic in the last year, it is all too clear that workers continue to be at risk from work–related stress.

The Talking Toolkit offers free, practical help developed by experts to help release pressure from the workplace. The CLC strongly encourages everyone to pick up a copy.”