AILEEN’S UNIFORM ATLAS
The Pulse is pleased to present Aileen’s Uniform Atlas, a recurring feature written by Aileen Out.
Out is the owner of Prettybusiness, a news blog in the Netherlands that focuses exclusively on work clothing.
In construction, mental health is rarely discussed, which has severe consequences for those who build our homes and workplaces. The suicide rate in construction is significantly higher than in other industries. To address this, a special “Make it Visible” campaign has been launched in the UK, featuring unique HiVis clothing.
Mental Health in Construction
Research from the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), a British organization that promotes building science and practice, reveals alarming statistics. According to their report, 26% of UK construction workers considered suicide within the past year. On average, two people in the industry die by suicide daily. In 2021, there were 535 such deaths, with only 35 of them related to workplace accidents; the remaining 500 were due to suicide. This rate is over three times higher than in other industries.
In response, the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, an organization supporting the mental health of British construction workers, partnered with Ford to create a campaign. Under the slogan “Make It Visible,” charity volunteers visit various construction sites wearing brightly colored HiVis vests in fluorescent yellow, orange, pink, and green. The back of each vest displays a 24/7 helpline number for construction workers who need support. Through mental health outreach, these volunteers aim to show that help is always available. For this campaign, Ford provided vehicles for the volunteers, each adorned with the same bright HiVis patterns as the vests.
A Global Issue
Ford and the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity aren’t the only ones using high-visibility clothing to raise awareness about mental health in construction, as these challenges extend beyond the borders of England.
In Australia, two friends launched Trademutt, a workwear brand that sells eye-catching shirts featuring the phrase “This Is A Conversation Starter” on the back. The shirt’s message signals the wearer’s openness to discussing mental health, encouraging colleagues to share their thoughts and feelings. The brand now offers HiVis shirts for both men and women, with various prints targeting other sectors facing similar issues, such as agriculture.
Similarly, New Zealand’s workwear brand Diamond Workwear recently started raising mental health awareness in the same way. They sell HiVis shirts with vibrant designs to signal that the wearer is open to conversation.
These examples demonstrate that functional workwear can serve more than just protection and visibility purposes. It can also be a powerful tool for drawing attention to mental health. We go to great lengths to ensure physical safety in the workplace, but when do we prioritize our mental well-being?
