The construction industry and suicide risk
The construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates compared with other industries. In 2016, the suicide rate among men employed in construction and mining was 49.4 per 100,000 people. This is nearly twice the overall suicide rate among working men and five times higher than the rate of all fatal workplace injuries in construction in 2018.
Below is a clear comparison of the key indicators:
| Indicator | Rate per 100,000 people | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Suicides among men in construction and mining | 49.4 | 2016 |
| Overall suicide rate among working men (32 states, ages 16–64) | 27.4 | 2016 |
| Fatal workplace injuries in the construction industry | 9.5 | 2018 |
Occupational risk factors and prevention strategies
Additional research is needed to understand why suicides occur more often in the construction industry than in other industries. Work can shape a person’s identity, and psychological suicide risk factors such as depression and stress may depend on working conditions.
Among the occupational factors that may potentially influence suicidal thoughts in the working population, the following stand out:
- ⚠️ Workload demands
- ⚠️ Long working hours
Creating and maintaining a healthy work environment is an important strategy for preventing suicide among workers.