Stephen McMenzie, account manager at Ed Controls UK, discusses burnout in the construction industry and how technology can alleviate some of those stresses
Experts warn that we’re seeing a burnout build up in the UK as reports show that nearly half of construction workers have suffered from excessive workplace stress over the past year, leading 1 in 10 employees to leave their jobs(1).
According to a 2021 survey by Constructing Excellence South West (CESW), 1 in 10 construction workers admit to having poor mental health and 62% confess to feeling stressed(2). Increasing workloads, ongoing issues in the construction supply chain and the Covid-19 pandemic has inevitably led to higher pressure – and therefore a higher level of stress on the workforce.
At the latest London Build expo, a panel of experts discussed mental health and wellbeing in a post-pandemic world. During the early stages of the pandemic, they suggest that it was the calmest period for workers and people began to see the positives of taking breaks and ultimately working with less pressure.
The expectation was that this behaviour would continue as lockdown eased and things returned to ‘normal’ – however, the panel suggested that things are worse now, than ever before. They also discussed that the “lessons learned” during Covid have essentially been forgotten, as the backlog of projects and developments which piled up over the lockdown period now need to be completed at pace. As a result, it’s clear that workers are under more pressure and have even shorter timelines(3).
Construction projects are by their very nature complex. Delivering large scale projects adds to the volume of problems that can arise. At Ed Controls, we’ve been there and done it, we know first-hand how issues can build. We understand how these problems can affect your working and personal life.
Our philosophy is that technology should make life easier for the people that use it. Ultimately, it should alleviate some of those stresses that workers face. The pandemic had an instant and dramatic effect on the construction industry – some sites were closed, projects put on hold and supply chain issues saw a variety of materials difficult to obtain. Almost overnight, the industry needed to look at new ways of working and suddenly woke up to the potential of digitisation in construction.
According to McKinsey, Covid-19 was a turning point with 50% of companies surveyed saying they have increased investment in digital transformation to meet the demands of the ‘new normal’(4). From communication to data sharing, health and safety and innovative construction methods, technology can help the construction industry work smarter, faster and safer.
Collaborative working
There are many advantages to collaborative working in construction. Collaboration is crucial to the delivery of any successful project at scale. But there are times when you can’t get to the site, and there are times when you don’t need to be on site. Whether that’s due to bad weather or lockdown restrictions, technology can help. Remote working and the rise of hybrid working as a business model can help project managers retain control of developments anytime and anywhere. Ultimately, technology can relieve many pressures in a matter of minutes, if companies are willing to embrace it.
The ability to move the planning of construction projects online allows a more collaborative way of working, with stakeholders having access to data and documents from anywhere at any time. For complex building projects with multiple stakeholders, it’s both desirable and important to embrace the benefits of collaborative remote working.
Automate for efficiency
I, along with many experts, believe that it is those firms quickest to adopt technology that will emerge strongest in the future. Those companies that welcome digitalisation will be at the forefront of our industry(5). There’s certainly no doubt that technology can increase efficiency.
Easy to use digital management systems save time and reduce the risk of errors. Observations and snagging issues can be recorded instantly and quickly assigned to the right person. It does away with mountains of e-mails and paperwork, leaving only a single user-friendly project management software app, which makes all the necessary information available to the right people. Clearly, quickly and on any device.
Automated audits, quality checks and reports can be compiled quickly and issued for review. For industries like construction, anything that reduces risks and increases safety should be welcomed and in turn will lessen challenges for construction workers at every level.
Finding more efficient ways to operate through innovative technologies will allow more collaboration, less conflict, and ultimately alleviate pressure across the supply chain.
Covid-19 is providing a catalyst for the digitalisation of the construction sector. But now the sector is beginning to see the benefits, there’s no going back. The benefits to be gained from the use of construction snagging tools can make a huge difference to the future competitiveness and success of construction firms. As an increasing number of construction firms adopt game-changing tools, we’ll see construction activity transform and become faster, smarter and simpler.
Grateful for the graft
We recently launched our ‘Grateful for the Graft’ campaign and became supporters of The Lighthouse Charity Construction Club, a charity focused on providing support for those suffering with mental health problems within the construction industry.
In one of the oldest trades we know, the construction sector has provided us with our most valuable buildings. From the comfort of our own home to the greatness of Big Ben, we have all benefited from the hard graft of construction workers.
So, why is it that an industry which has given us so much, is suffering in silence? Recent statistics show that almost a quarter of construction workers are considering leaving the industry in the next 12 months due to poor mental health[6]. This is why we have launched the Grateful for the Graft campaign; our mission is to make the lives of construction workers easier.
We are passionate about spreading positivity in the industry and bringing awareness to important topics like mental health. That’s why we’re surprising construction workers across the UK with tokens of appreciation – nominate your site now to put a smile on your colleague’s face!
References
(1) https://www.pbctoday.co.uk/news/health-safety-news/workplace-stress/103035/
(2) https://constructingexcellencesw.org.uk/
(5) https://www.constructionexec.com/article/five-construction-predictions-for-a-year-of-uncertainty
