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We know that building safer workplaces means looking beyond hard hats and harnesses. It’s also about protecting what isn’t always visible – mental and emotional well-being.

One in five U.S. adults experiences a mental health or substance use disorder every year. In the construction industry, where long hours, physical demands and high-pressure environments are common, it’s critical that we talk about it.

While most of us aren’t trained to diagnose mental health or substance use issues, we can learn to recognize the signs. These might include:

• Excessive worry, sadness or irritability
• Difficulty concentrating or completing daily tasks
• Extreme mood changes
• Withdrawal from social activities
• Increased use of alcohol or drugs
• Noticeable changes in eating or sleeping habits
• Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (headaches, stomachaches, achiness, etc.)

If you notice these signs in a coworker or even in yourself, know that help is available. Being informed and responsive can make a meaningful difference.

 

Connecting Members to Safety Resources

We’re committed to supporting the safety and success of our Members with the resources they need. Our Safety Services team can help connect you to mental health support and crisis resources. We encourage everyone to learn more through programs like Mental Health First Aid, an evidence-based, early-intervention course that teaches how to identify, understand and respond to mental illness and substance use challenges.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call or text 988, or visit 988lifeline.org to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.

Together, let’s build healthier, safer and stronger teams.

 

Additional Resources:

• National Alliance on Mental Illness (Minnesota)
• Mobile Crisis Teams in Minnesota (by county)
• Mental Health First Aid Training
• OSHA Workplace Stress Resources

If you have any questions or need help accessing mental health resources, contact your TBG Safety Services representative.

Struck-by hazards remain one of the most serious risks in construction – second only to falls in terms of fatalities and the leading cause of nonfatal injuries on the job. 

With the safety of our Members as our priority, we’re proud to support the National Stand-Down to Prevent Struck-by Incidents happening April 21–25, 2025, during National Work Zone Awareness Week.

This annual, nationwide initiative encourages employers to pause work and talk directly with their teams about the dangers of struck-by incidents and how to prevent them. These conversations can take place anywhere – at the jobsite, in a toolbox talk or during a pre-shift huddle – and serve as a powerful reminder that safety starts with awareness.

 

Why This Matters

Struck-by incidents can happen in an instant, from falling tools, heavy equipment, traffic hazards or crane lifts. Without the right training and awareness, these everyday risks can turn deadly. But they’re also preventable.

 

What You Can Do 

Join the Stand-Down by discussing topics like:

• Working safely around moving vehicles and heavy equipment
• Preventing dropped objects and falling tools
• Lift zone planning and crane safety
• Traffic control in work zones
• The importance of PPE, especially hard hats and high-vis gear

 

Virtual Events During the Week

Participate in safety webinars and other online events during the week, including:

• CPWR, ARTBA and the NORA Construction Sector Council Struck-by Work Group will host a webinar on Monday, April 21st on Technologies to Improve Work Zone Safety
• The National Work Zone Safety Information Clearinghouse and the Federal Highway Administration will also host an event on Wednesday, April 23rd on Work Zone Speed Safety Cameras
• Recordings of the 2024 events and other past webinars can be found below and in CPWR’s Struck-by YouTube playlist.

 

Explore the Resources 

National partners including NIOSH, CPWR and ARTBA have created valuable resources to support your efforts, from infographics and toolbox talks and safety posters. Check out materials like:

• Sphere of Safety Sticker Artwork
• 2023 NIOSH Struck-by Stand-Down Science Blog: Struck-By Injuries in the Construction Sector: Common Hazards, Barriers, and Opportunities to Keep Workers Safe
• Preventing Struck-by Incidents Infographic: English PDF & JPEG; Spanish PDF & JPEG
• Electrical Transmission & Distribution Partnership Infographic on Preventing Struck-by Incidents
• One-page summary of resources on struck-by hazards
• PowerPoint presentation on Struck-by Hazards and the Stand-Down

 

Make It Count 

Participating in the Stand-Down shows your crew and community that safety isn’t just a policy – it’s a culture. Whether you lead a brief conversation or host a larger safety meeting, every step toward awareness is a step toward saving lives.

Let’s stand down, speak up and work together to prevent struck-by injuries.

As a partner in the construction industry, we believe safety is a responsibility we all share, especially in high-risk environments like excavation sites. That’s why we’re proud to support Minnesota OSHA’s upcoming Excavation Safety Stand-down, happening April 21–25, 2025.

 

What Is the Excavation Safety Stand-down?

This statewide initiative is a voluntary opportunity for contractors and crews across Minnesota to pause and refocus on what matters most: getting everyone home safely. Employers are encouraged to take time during the workday – whether it’s a toolbox talk, team meeting or a dedicated safety session – to discuss the hazards and best practices associated with excavation work.

Employers are also encouraged to make a plan for protecting workers and preventing accidents.

 

Why It Matters

Excavation-related fatalities are preventable. Yet lives are lost due to trench collapses, unsafe soil conditions, inadequate protective systems and other avoidable issues. This stand-down is a chance to proactively address those risks and reinforce the importance of sloping, shoring and shielding.

 

Topics to Cover With Your Team

Not sure where to start? Here are some key areas to include in your safety conversation:

• Soil classification and its impact on protective systems
• Competent person responsibilities
• Safe access and egress
• Hazardous atmospheres and water accumulation
• Surface encumbrances and falling loads
• Traffic exposure and site inspections

 

Get Involved & Show Your Commitment

Participating in the stand-down sends a clear message: your team’s safety is a priority. After your discussion, you can download and display a certificate of participation and post the official stand-down flyer (available in English and Spanish) to spread awareness across your site.

 

Resources to Help You Lead a Successful Stand-down

• Federal OSHA:  Trenching and excavation safety
• Minnesota OSHA fact sheet:  Trenching and excavation safety
• Minnesota OSHA presentation:  Excavation
• How to prepare for a successful stand-down meeting

We support our Members in building safer jobsites every day. Let’s dig into safety together – because the foundation of any good job starts with protecting the people on it.