Understanding and supporting all types of wellness in the industry

By Emma Peterson. 

From physical wellbeing to mental health and everything in between, wellbeing is key to building a successful company and legacy. 

When the The Chicago Roofing Contractors Association’s (CRCA) Health and Safety Committee met in 2023, they realized that their focus on wellbeing needed to go beyond just the traditional safety conversation. Committee Co-Chair Kevin Froeter explained, “We now live in a world where employee physical safety is no longer the only gauge of company's health.” 

Research from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) shows that the construction industry has one of the highest suicide rates of five major industry groups. This data highlights a concerning lack of mental health awareness and wellness in our workplaces. But there are things that can be done. 

In 2022, OSHA recognized the need for emphasis on workplace suicide prevention and came up with five goals for the industry: 

1. Raise awareness that individual actions can make a difference in preventing suicide. 
2. Learn and teach employees the warning signs. 
3. Build cultures where you ask, “Are you okay?” 
4. Create systems where a person in crisis is not left alone and appropriate help is called in. 
5. Ensure suicide prevention resources are available to all.   

With the CDC’s data and OSHA’s initial ideas for solution strategies, CRCA has made sure to emphasize mental and emotional health alongside physical when it comes to safety and wellbeing in the workplace. In order to support this mission of awareness, CRCA launched a wellness award. This award had members submit examples of how they integrate awareness and care for mental, emotional and physical health in their day-to-day operations. In the beginning of 2024, CRCA Contractor Member Korellis and Associate Member Richards Building Supply were highlighted for their promotion of wellness in their respective teams.  

Learn more about how the CRCA is promoting wellness in the industry.