This post is inspired by ‘On the tools’ facebook post, where they have released a Mental health white paper called “behind the High-vis” . We totally support the awareness this bring to an industry full of testerone, and sure building can be tough at times and sometimes you need tough talk to get you on to that wobbly ladder or even in a man hole with a burst water pipe. But, it does go too far and i know this from being in the industry since i was 17 and starting out as a labourer, tormented, ridiculed and picked on.
Here are my top 5 building site torments
1) Climbing up and down unsecurred ladders with extremely heavy weight in quite litterally all weathers, the harder the situation the more of a man you are. We all know the dangers of ladder, yet the industry still prides itself on a risk worth taking to prove masculinity.
2) Cutting any and all materials such a ‘Steels’ with no eye or ear protection, Glasses and defenders makes you scared and weak. It is a skill to be able to cut materials without sharps flying in to your eye. Again we all know the impact of lost site, yet this risk is taken simply to prove you are not moved by such fear.
3) Carrying weight such as large and heavy ‘steels’ or maybe piles of bricks on your shoulder, because it makes you hard. I personally know people in the industry that did this on a daily basis for years, now regret it to a point in which they can no longer walk because they damaged their spine.
4) General wearing of protective equipment i.e ear defender, gloves, helmets they will all get you an onslaught of jibes, so unless you stop using it you will continue to recieve the punishment for wanting to work safe.
5) War wounds, there is a pride in the industry of how much a person has hurt or injured themselves. A pride chat would always spring up, such as when Dave goes through his own hand with a saw, and how he didn’t go to the hospital and still turned in to work the next day all bandaged up. We all know Dave should have gone to the hospital, right.
With all this said, the ‘Trade’ industry is one of the toughest jobs you can do. Lets face it, sitting in an office like i now do, has very few risks, maybe cutting my finger on paper or even falling off my chair. So i do understand you have to be strong hearted, strong willed and in a strage way the elders in the industry are preparinng the younger labourers or apprentices to toughen up as you are going to hurt yourself, you are going to get cold and wet, you are going to feel like not doing the job. Allot of the precaustions and safety equipment can get in your way, both making it harder to work and of getting the job done. I would say that the most of the time, the people ribbing you or are actually trying to help in their own way, so try not to take it to heart (unless its just bullying) see that they are tyring to prepare your mentality for a difficlut job.
If you are finding your situation difficult, you have a few options.
-Seek out people you trust and talk it out, open up with how you feel and your concerns. if you are really strugling, seek medical advice, head to your doctors and ask for help. Seeking the help of a therapist maybe what you need.
-Change your employer or job. Sommetimes it is a simple matter of finnding someone you can work for that has the same values as you. i have worked with some great builders that they always used safety equipmet a. nd thought of my best interests. So they are out there so get hunting for a new job maybe.
-Change your career, it may seem like a simple answer but a change of career may be on the cards for you. if the industry doesn’t match your personality maybe it is time to find pastures new.
-Last but abosolutly least, put up with it. I do not suggest this one at all, so i would strongly advocate for one of the 3 above. But if you can’t do so, i would say, do your best, and only do what you want in the industry. If you want to protect yourself do so, if you want to not endanger yourself then don’t do that stupid thing, what ever that may be. Stand up for yourself and follow what you need and want.
i hope this helps even just a little.
Good luck!
