This chapter considers the occupational health of workers in the Australian construction industry, with a particular focus on psychosocial hazards and mental health. Both the antecedents and outcomes of poor mental health are explored throughout the chapter, which draws on research conducted by the authors. Case studies are used to illustrate some of the key factors impacting on the health of workers. Construction work is largely project based with poor job security, and long and irregular working hours are the norm. The importance of recovery is highlighted for maintaining good health in this high-demands industry. Construction workers experience work–family conflict and burnout that lead to poor health outcomes for the worker. These workers also engage in physically demanding work and the incidences of physical injury and work disability are high. The interaction between physical and psychosocial risk factors of workers is considered. Workplace health promotion programmes implemented by organizations focus on changing individual workers’ lifestyle behaviours. Those programmes need to be carefully designed to address the fundamental causes of poor health in the construction industry.
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Front Matter
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PART I: INTRODUCTION: WHY WELL-BEING MATTERS
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PART II: WORK AND WELL-BEING: THE BAD NEWS
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PART III: AN ANALYSIS OF WORK AND HEALTH IN SOME OCCUPATIONS
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PART IV: WORK AND WELL-BEING: THE GOOD NEWS
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PART V: INTERVENTIONS ADDRESSING THE WORK–WELL-BEING RELATIONSHIP
