One of Australia’s top business leaders has spoken out about the tragically high suicide rate among construction workers, at today’s QUT Business Leaders’ Forum.
Lendlease CEO Steve McCann said the suicide rate among men in the construction industry was twice the rate of young men across Australia.
He said this concerning statistic wass being addressed at Lendlease as a key priority of the iconic property and infrastructure group’s guiding principle – safety.
“Strategy is more than just numbers, it’s the people. Our first principle is safety. Through personal experience I understand the impact workplace accidents can have on individuals and families,” Mr McCann said.
“In the past six years our notion of caring for people has evolved beyond pure safety to include their health and wellbeing.
“An undeniable part of our responsibilities is to address the challenge of mental health. Sadly, we know constructions workers are twice as likely to suicide as other Australians and are six times more likely to die of suicide than workplace accident.”
“We are rolling out some fantastic programs to raise awareness, educate, support and better understand mental health.”
Mr McCann, who is an ambassador for Beyond Blue, said later he thought working in remote locations was one element contributing to the high suicide rate and bullying was another aspect.
He said Lendlease’s focus on sustainability placed people at the heart of its vision to create the best places and by so doing had created world-leading projects.
“At Lendlease, sustainability focuses on 12 elements with clear long-term aspirations including a 20 per cent reduction in energy waste and water emissions by 2020.
“What is of particular interest to me is the ever-increasing demand and recognition from governments, tenants and investors for our sustainable urban regeneration projects.
“The Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark represents over 700 companies and funds providing information on 61,000 properties around the world representing more than US$2.3 trillion in global assets under management.
“I’m pleased to say that benchmark has recognised the Lendlease Australia Prime Property Fund Commercial as the world’s most sustainable real estate fund two years’ running.
“Not only that, our flagship funds in every region in which we operate were also designated the leading funds in their area.
“We know these quality assets attract investors. They become synonymous with the competition amongst cities across the globe for human and financial capital, tourism, culture and education.
“That’s why our partners and customers look to us to reach new sustainability benchmarks not only to mitigate climate change but to harness our human capital.”
He said Lendlease made embedding diversity and inclusion a priority and acknowledged it could be a challenge.
“Anyone leading an organisation observes we achieve better outcomes when we have teams of people who can think differently but can work together.”
Media contact: Niki Widdowson, QUT Media, 07 3138 2999 or n.widdowson@qut.edu.au.
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au.
