Mates in Construction: new guide and training

Mates in Construction has launched a new guide to construction site safety, as well as a series of training sessions to help workers step up to help their mates struggling with mental health.

Australian construction workers are six times more likely to die from suicide, with young workers/apprentices more than two times more likely to take their own lives than other young Australian men. With increasing awareness of statistics and the importance of addressing workplace mental health and wellbeing, the issue is a primary focus viewed through the framework of risk management, protecting all workers from psychological workplace hazards.

The Mates’ Assist and Mates’ Connector short course training sessions will be held in Brisbane and regional cities over the next six months.

ASIST training equips individuals to become an ASIST worker. These workers can be compared to the first aid officer on site. Using simple skills, an ASIST worker will listen to the person’s concerns and respond to them appropriately with the object of reaching a “contract” or a “safe plan” for the worker.

The role of a Connector is to connect people who are struggling to a suicide first aid resource. Connector training takes four hours. A Connector is not a counsellor or any other kind of professional, they are simply a mate who knows how to help.

Mates in Construction also has launched a new guide to construction site safety. Produced in conjunction with Master Builders Association of NSW, the Crane Industry Council of Australia (CICA) and endorsed by the NSCA Foundation, it aids in recognising and controlling key hazards and focuses on proactive prevention of injury and ill health.

Designed to be displayed in the workplace, the free guide was developed with interactive augmented reality capabilities for use with a smart device, by simply downloading the free Pro-Vis AR App via the App Store or Google Play.

Further information

Download the Construction site safety guide or find out more about Mates in Construction training sessions.