Construction World November 2024

Redesigning work environments Beyond cultural changes, the industry also needs to rethink the physical environment of construction sites. These are often high-pressure, high-stress sites where workers are constantly exposed to physical danger. By incorporating mental health considerations into site design and management, companies can create spaces that support workers' wellbeing. This might involve creating quiet areas where workers can take a break from the noise and stress of the site, or offering wellness programmes that encourage physical and mental health practices such as meditation, yoga, or relaxation techniques. Small changes to the physical environment can make a big difference, giving workers the opportunity to decompress during their shift and manage their stress levels more effectively. Ultimately, creating a healthy workplace and culture requires commitment from the top. Leadership sets the tone for the entire organisation, and if the leadership team isn't committed to making mental health a priority, the message won’t resonate with workers. Employers need to lead by example, and show workers that we care about their wellbeing, not just through words, but through action. 

signature to the #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign. K ickstarted by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, the campaign calls for green skills to be integrated into national action plans for biodiversity and climate change. The Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has joined the cause ahead of November’s Climate Change Conference in Baku, Azerbaijan, to highlight the significant lack of green skills within the construction industry. Amanda Williams, head of environmental sustainability at CIOB, said: “Addressing the significant green skills gap will be essential in creating a more sustainable built environment. “By joining the #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign, we hope to encourage governments across the globe to give proper focus to the issues the industry is facing and to put measures in place to address the deficit.” Findings from LinkedIn data’s Global Climate Talent Stocktake estimate the talent pool for green skills in key industries, like construction, needs to double just to keep up with the projected demand. For example, Australia needs a massive 200 000 more people working in clean energy jobs by 2030 alone. Meanwhile, the World Green Building Council recently revealed a lack of trained green building professionals as the sixth most substantial barrier to sustainable building globally and the biggest block in South Asia. Williams continued: “Clearly, there is a global lack of trained workers with green skills and the construction industry is not immune to the deficit. “Governments across the world need to accept the severity of the situation and do more to fund the right This positive cultural shift can be further supported by offering confidential counselling services and providing access to mental health professionals, or by partnering with organisations that specialise in workplace mental health. Most importantly, workers need to know that their employer supports them, and that reaching out for support will not lead to negative repercussions. Providing training for supervisors Supervisors and managers play a critical role in determining how mental health is viewed and talked about in their workplace. These leaders serve on the front lines, interacting with workers daily, and are often the first to notice signs of distress. However, many supervisors may not know how to handle mental health issues appropriately or may feel uncomfortable addressing them. As such, supervisors need to be equipped with the knowledge and tools to recognise when someone is struggling and how best to respond. Training programmes that focus on championing mental health, active listening, and crisis intervention can make a significant difference. These programmes can help supervisors understand how to approach sensitive conversations, making sure workers feel heard and supported rather than dismissed or marginalised.

CIOB SIGNS UP TO #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign The world’s leading professional body for construction management and leadership has pledged its

training so we get more people in the critical roles which are essential for construction projects to meet sustainability targets.” CIOB will attend this year’s COP29 conference and will continue to highlight the skills issue with policymakers and other industry stakeholders. Williams concluded: “We know the built environment is responsible for almost 40 per cent of energy-related CO 2 emissions, and addressing this has the potential to accelerate the transition to a net zero future. “We must ensure the built environment is at the front and centre of the discussion, so global leaders recognise the importance of engagement with our industry.” For more information on the #GreenSkillsAtCop campaign, visit: www.greenskillsatcop.iema.net 

15 CONSTRUCTION WORLD NOVEMBER 2024