They are beginning to destigmatize mental health issues and discover ancillary benefits that could avert future deaths, while also reducing the legal, financial and reputational considerations that inevitably flow from such tragedies. The construction industry has one of the worst records of any global sector for employee mental health and suicide . A 2017 study found that suicide rates in building workers were higher than the national average in many countries . Factors underlying the problem include : a male - dominated “ macho ” culture ; long hours and irregular pay and conditions ; stress ; lack of support networks and long periods away from work . As well as having a negative impact upon workers , such stresses can result in declining productivity , worker absence , low job morale and potential company liability .
The construction industry has one of the worst records of any global sector for employee mental health and suicide . A 2017 study found that suicide rates in building workers were higher than the national average in many countries . Factors underlying the problem include : a male - dominated “ macho ” culture ; long hours and irregular pay and conditions ; stress ; lack of support networks and long periods away from work . As well as having a negative impact upon workers , such stresses can result in declining productivity , worker absence , low job morale and potential company liability .