May 2 marked the official start of Construction Safety Week 2022.

The event, held industry-wide across Canada and the United States, aims to raise the awareness of the industry's ongoing commitment to building a culture of safety through sharing best practices, tools and resources at job sites and offices.

Safety Week was founded in 2014 by members of The Construction Industry Safety Initiative and the Incident & Injury Free Executive Forum. It now includes 70 of the top contractors in the industry, representing thousands of workers. 

This year's Safety Week theme is "Connected. Supported. Safe." The concept reflects the enduring connection workers and leaders have to each other across the industry. It reminds workers that they are not alone in building a stronger, safer industry and creating a safe, supportive environment for everyone.

The event also focuses on mental health issues among workers. Issues like substance abuse or depression can have devastating effects on the job. Less noticeable, but no less series, are issues such as prolonged stress, anxiety, financial concerns, or tension with a family member. Any can cause workers to lose focus on all-important tasks.

New for this year, Construction Safety Week encourages all contractors and workers to begin using safety helmets with an integrated chinstrap and lateral protection. The change can significantly decrease the frequency and severity of traumatic brain injuries.

Posted to ConstructionSafetyWeek.com are a series of free planning resources to help create events in recognition of the event. They include job site banners, PowerPoint templates and a planning playbook, daily topics, videos and toolbox talks, activities for workers and their families to do at home, and, new this year, a Mental Wellness Field Guide for distribution on job sites

Participating workers and companies can share photos of their involvement with Safety Week on social media for a chance to win prizes. Details are available on the Safety Week website.

"I'm proud of the work we've done as an industry to encourage safety through this event," said Ken Aldridge, 2022 Safety Week Committee Chair. "I am looking forward to seeing how firms across the industry celebrate this week."