The U.S. construction industry accounts for nearly 4.5% of the gross domestic product, with a value of approximately $2.1 trillion, according to Building Radar. The industry employs one of the largest labor pools in the country, and Associated General Contractors of America (AGC) estimates that there are 8 million workers across nearly 900,000 firms in the U.S. Given these substantial figures, it is not surprising that the industry faces higher volume of risk, necessitating a need for increased focus on incident prevention and loss mitigation and resolution — protecting both the bottom line and the workers at the core of
the business.
Construction spend in insurance outranks that of other industries, with total cost of risk averaging 10% to 15% of revenue. The industry also faces nearly $11.4 billion in annual losses, of which causes include serious, nonfatal workplace injuries with falls (from a height and on the same level), overexertion and being struck by an object/equipment. This naturally leads to workers’ compensation claims representing the highest frequency of insurance claims in the industry at more than 70%. Additionally, 35% of workers’ compensation claims are filed by first-year workers, again reinforcing the importance of proper safety and training awareness, as well as implementation.
Construction sites are innately dangerous, which contributes to the industry having some of the highest rates of fatalities, injuries and mental health issues. Dangerous jobsites and labor-intensive tasks — combined with challenges in accessibility to quality care and potential treatment abuse leading to addiction — makes caring for injured workers particularly challenging.
Dangerous Jobsites
A variety of factors contribute to a higher level of danger when working on jobsites. The use of heavy machinery and equipment can lead to accidents when workers aren’t properly trained, regardless of if they’re new to the job force or tenured professionals. In addition, working at high heights naturally increases the risk of falls, injuries and even fatalities. Falling objects pose a risk to workers on-site, and exposure to hazardous materials can lead to long-term health effects. While these are a few of many factors that contribute to risky work environments, they highlight a few key areas of concern.
Labor-Intensive Job Duties
The labor-intensive and high-pressure nature of construction work can have significant impacts on workers, both physically
and mentally. When compounded over time, the risks to workers can increase.
Physical impacts, such as musculoskeletal disorders from repetitive motions, heavy lifting and awkward postures, can lead to back pain, joint pain and strain injuries. Fatigue, chronic health issues, heat stress and dehydration, and hearing loss are other possible physical side effects from intensive projects.
Mental and emotional impacts can include stress due to the demanding nature of the job, mental fatigue as a result of physical exertion and a need for constant vigilance to avoid accidents. These factors can take a serious toll on mental health, and the number of workers facing these conditions appears to be increasing. Suicide among construction workers remains a problem in the industry — especially among injured construction workers. While exact causes for high rates of construction industry suicide are hard to pinpoint, possible contributing factors include extended periods of overtime work, high-pressure workplace and deadlines, time spent away from family, drug and alcohol abuse and other job pressures, according to Shannon Pettypiece (NBC News) and Sarah Lorek (Trimble). Also, many construction workers are veterans — and the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP) reports that veterans also are at a higher risk of suicide.
To compound the issue, there is also a stigma associated with seeking mental health support in the construction industry. This stigma can stem from several factors, including the industry’s traditionally masculine culture — which may prioritize toughness and self-reliance, potentially discouraging workers from expressing vulnerability or seeking help for mental health issues. Additionally, workers may feel hesitant to address issues due to fear of judgment or repercussions. Efforts to raise awareness and promote mental health support within the industry are crucial to overcoming this stigma and encouraging workers to seek the help they need.
Lack of Awareness of Access to Quality Care
On top of providing high-quality care to an injured worker, construction companies need to ensure their employees are aware of and have access to mental health treatment options, in addition to creating an environment in which they feel comfortable seeking help. Early intervention puts a claim — and, more importantly, an injured worker’s recovery — on the right path at the outset of mental or physical injury.
Solutions for Supporting Injured Workers
Preventing incidents with appropriate safety and training is ideal, but when incidents occur, there must be an emphasis on effectively treating and triaging injured workers. The manner in which workers’ compensation claims are handled directly affects the health and timely recovery of employees, as well as the total costs incurred by employers. Comprehensive claims handling improves clinical outcomes, reduces lost workdays, decreases litigation and lowers the overall total cost of risk.
Medical Case Management
Medical case management is essential in ensuring that injured construction workers receive the necessary care to recover and return to work. By managing costs, enhancing recovery outcomes, ensuring compliance and offering crucial support to workers, construction companies can integrate medical case management into their workers’ compensation strategies to establish a more effective and supportive system for handling workplace injuries when they arise.
Clinical Intervention Ecosystem
Clinical intervention ecosystems provide a coordinated approach to health care by ensuring all aspects of an injured worker’s case are addressed, from the injury to the return to work. This approach may include continuity of care, specialized treatment, personalized rehabilitation programs and supportive services. Effective intervention can reduce medical costs and help maintain the project’s timeline and costs while supporting injured individuals.
Quality of Care for Injured Workers
With rates of mental health issues and opioid abuse continuing to affect the construction industry, organizations need to prioritize quality care. This care encompasses timely, appropriate and effective medical treatment as well as comprehensive support throughout the recovery process. The risk of addiction increases without the proper treatment resources, and if the treatment process continues without a clear plan to recovery and return to work. Effective pain management strategies, identifying non-opioid options when possible, and access to mental health and stress management resources can improve injured workers’ quality of life throughout the recovery process.
With the industry’s numerous risks and resulting claims, construction organizations need to implement strategies that not only minimize incidents but also provide effective and efficient resolution, specifically for workers’ compensation claims. High-quality care enables injured workers to recover and return to work more quickly, reducing the impact of the injury on their physical, emotional and financial well-being. It also supports the project completion and companies’ bottom lines.