4 Ways Welfare Cabins Tackle the Construction Stress Epidemic
According to the Stress Management Society, people in the UK are facing a stress epidemic. Of all the sectors, stress in the construction industry in particular is a major issue, with workers experiencing higher than average rates of stress.
Almost 48% of workers have taken time off work due to stress and 91% feel overwhelmed at work according to research by CIOB. The financial toll of this mounting stress is also high, estimated to set back the UK economy by £28 billion annually.
These statistics don’t lie: stress across every industry is mounting, and the construction industry needs to identify and manage stress among workers before the consequences worsen.
A big part of tackling stress in construction is keeping the best interests of staff in mind. This includes investing in the right support, such as introducing well-equipped welfare units for your workforce, to lower occupational stress in the construction industry.
This blog highlights the four ways welfare cabins assist in managing the UK’s construction industry stress epidemic.
Factors Causing a High-Stress Environment in Construction
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) defines stress as “the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressures of other types of demand placed on them”. While it's common for most industry professionals to feel job stress, in construction, the workforce has to deal with additional factors, resulting in higher levels of stress than average.
Here are some of these factors leading to increased occupational stress in the construction industry:
Tight Deadlines
The UK construction sector is booming, with projects being launched at breakneck speed. These projects usually run on tight deadlines, with firms looking to move forward as quickly as possible.
These deadlines rarely factor in delays or unexpected conditions, which puts immense pressure on construction workers and their stress levels.
Physically Demanding Jobs
Employees in the building and construction sectors are expected to perform physically demanding and strenuous work that puts immense stress on their bodies. Over time, this can cause workers to feel fatigued while they’re completing tasks, which may lead to mistakes and put them at a higher risk of accidents.
Long Work Hours
Depending on the scope and timeline of the project, construction workers start their work early in the day and can continue until late in the evening. On some occasions, they may clock in more than the average 40 hours per week, according to Build UK.
Many projects demand workers to be away from home in an unfamiliar area for weeks at a time, far from family and friends, increasing feelings of loneliness. The long work hours and isolation, coupled with harsh working conditions, can leave workers exhausted and increasingly susceptible to chronic stress.
High-Risk Work
Many project tasks rely on heavy-duty machinery and equipment, which presents a significant risk even to experienced workers. Construction staff are also often expected to work on aerial platforms, which can add to the anxiety and stress they may feel in their roles. Unmanageable stress may cause workers to handle equipment improperly, which can lead to falls, injuries, or worse.
The harsh working environment, often influenced by local weather conditions, hazardous elements, dust, and debris, can also take a toll on the mental health and stress levels of workers.
Stigma Around Mental Health
Even with increased conversations around mental health and stress management in the construction industry, there’s still a perceived stigma when it comes to opening up about mental health struggles.
People struggling with uncontrolled stress levels in this industry are likely hesitant to open up about facing stress in construction projects, fearing rebuke or criticism from others.
Lack of Time
Stressful conditions at work can spill over into workers’ leisure time, affecting their personal lives.
Time is of the essence when it comes to healing from high levels of stress. But according to PBC Today, more than 50% of workers did little to nothing to manage their stress, citing lack of time as the reason.
4 Ways to Ease Stress Through Well-Equipped Welfare Units
Identifying the factors responsible for stress isn’t enough. It’s clear that radical changes are required for stress management in the UK construction industry, beginning with implementing changes as simple and resourceful as mobile welfare units.
Here’s how Hireforce Welfare’s range of portable welfare cabins can help you reduce stress in construction:
1. A Place to Recharge
The construction site is a tough and demanding environment, and your workers should, at the bare minimum, have a dedicated space to rest in between a gruelling work day.
Our 6 to 16-person Ecosmart range of welfare units provide a self-contained environment on-site for workers to rest and recharge. When placed strategically, your workforce won’t have to travel far from the site, saving valuable project time.
2. A Space to Take Regular Breaks
When work stress keeps mounting, your workers may experience everything from frustration to anger to anxiety.
Giving your workers regular breaks in our well-maintained fleet of welfare cabins will allow them a much-needed mental and physical respite from the rigours of work. Our welfare units have comfortable seating, so your workers can rest during their much-needed downtime.
3. Improved Facilities
Unrestricted access to improved and well-maintained workplace facilities will give your workers a sense of security and privacy. Our units come equipped with running water, secured toilets, changing rooms, canteen facilities, and charging points to power up devices when needed.
Our 10 and 16-person variants also come with a fully functioning 3-person office and meeting room. Browse our complete range here.
4. Worker Support
Investing in the right resources for your workers shows that you care and support their needs.
Hireforce’s well-equipped welfare cabins create an environment of support and comfort for your hard-working staff, especially during times of extreme stress and pressure.
Contact Hireforce for Welfare Cabins to Help Beat the Construction Stress Epidemic
The stressful environment of a construction site has the potential to significantly impact the health and well-being of all your workers, and it’s time you gave this issue the attention it deserves.
Welfare units are merely a drop in the ocean when we consider what the workforce contributes to the UK’s building and construction industry.
At Hireforce Welfare, we understand the welfare needs of the building site workers like no other. Partner with us to provide your workforce with well-equipped construction site welfare units and gain peace of mind knowing that you’re taking an actionable step to create optimal work conditions.
We offer top-quality 6 to 16-person welfare units for all project types and strive to deliver exceptional service to all our clients.
Call us on 0345 3503793 to get in touch with one of our team to get started.