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Improving Health Behaviours in the Construction Industry

ViVA's health and wellbeing services transformed workforce health behaviours, bolstering well-being and a self-care culture.

PROJECT LEAD

PROJECT TEAM

Solo

PARTNERED WITH

In-house

Context

Construction workers often neglect their health and wellbeing needs owing to several cultural, occupational, and practical factors. Construction is a male-dominated industry with a culture emphasising toughness, where workers may negate their health needs. The work is physically demanding with long hours, accessing health care can be difficult, and there are productivity priorities versus self-care allowances.

Challenge

A road construction company identified key health concerns among its workforce, including sleep and fatigue management, nutrition and hydration needs, and muscular aches from manual tasks. The goal was to address these health issues to complement participatory ergonomics programs.

Approach

ViVA developed statewide training workshops, covering topics such as sleep and fatigue, nutrition, energy optimisation, and manual task risk management. Crew members engaged in hands-on activities, such as testing their hydration levels, reviewing food labels, and practicing corrective exercises for shoulder and back pain. Additional activities included fatigue-goggle simulations, health screenings, like glucose testing and cholesterol, and health coaching.

Outcomes

Hundreds of workers participated in the four-month program, with 96% of attendees reporting high satisfaction levels. Ergonomic adjustments and wellness education fostered a culture of proactive health management. A team leader discovered a serious health issue through the screening and sought immediate medical attention, potentially adverting a serious event.