Construction charity welcomes new workplace suicide prevention standard
Band of Builders (BoB) has welcomed the publication of BS 30480, the UK’s first British Standard dedicated to addressing the risk of suicide and its impact in the workplace.
Our Operations Director Tony Steel joined guests from a raft of different UK industries and sectors at a recent parliamentary reception to mark the introduction of the groundbreaking new standard.
BS 30480 provides comprehensive guidance to help organisations effectively prevent and respond to suicide risk. It was informed by research, data and lived experience, and it aims to provide organisations with practical and evidence-based recommendations to help plan for, respond to and support people affected by suicide or those with thoughts of suicide in the workplace and beyond.
We are keen to add our support, as current data suggests that construction has the highest suicide rate of any industry or profession in the UK – with two tradespeople or construction workers taking their lives each day. It is estimated that 7,000 construction workers have died by suicide in the last decade [3].
Tony complimented the work that the British Standards Institution (BSI) team has done in developing the standard and the collaborative approach it took in gathering as much information as possible and listening to many voices from right across UK industry and commerce.
“The parliamentary reception was a well-attended event that demonstrated a determined commitment to reduce the number of employees – and also those who subcontract to organisations – who take their lives,” he said.
“BS 30480 is an important guide for employers, managers and workplace professionals that has been put together by a very talented team from many diverse backgrounds – including those who have lived experience, mental health charities and experts in the field – who came together over a period of 18 months to devise this comprehensive framework of support and guidance.
“BoB will be championing the standard to ensure as many businesses as possible within the construction industry read through it and encourage participation to help reduce the shocking suicide statistics that blight the construction industry.”
In its press statement, BSI outlined the reach and impact on businesses and organisations after an employee takes their life. It referred to research “which shows that one in four adults has contemplated suicide and one in 13 has attempted it [1]. For every suicide death, at least 135 people including colleagues, clients, and communities alike are directly or indirectly affected [2]. This means suicide touches nearly every workplace at some point, whether through the loss of a colleague, supporting someone in crisis, or managing the complex emotional and operational aftermath. Yet organisations are not necessarily equipped to address this issue openly and effectively.”
The press release went on to say: “The standard includes support for developing clear, effective policies and offers practical advice on identifying warning signs and addressing suicidal thoughts or behaviours. It outlines how to ask about suicide in a safe, direct way, as well as how to create individual safety plans tailored to those at risk. Guidance is also provided on sensitive communication with individuals affected by suicide, including handling media enquiries appropriately. Organisations are advised on when to seek specialist advice and how to commission suitable suicide prevention training. Additionally, the standard includes dedicated toolkits for human resources and line managers, ensuring a consistent, informed approach across all levels of the organisation.”
Tony explained that although BoB is a charity that is best known for completing practical projects to help members of the UK construction industry and their families who are battling illness or injury, it also offers wellbeing support, including a text service (text BOB to 85258), and financial help.
Our Big Brew initiative has become an annual campaign to encourage UK construction industry workers and tradespeople to come together over a cuppa to support one another and remove the taboo around mental health. It is especially popular with builders’ merchants because it follows the charity coffee morning format, where staff, visitors and customers can come together at branches and talk about the issue of mental health during a builders’ tea break.
Tony said: “While BS 30480 will address the issue of suicide structurally from the top down within organisations, we’ll continue approaching this issue from the bottom up with on-the-ground support that is quickly and easily accessible to construction workers, tradespeople and their families.
“We are very grateful that we are able to achieve this thanks to the backing of our partners and sponsors, including Hays, Jewson, Talasey and Tarmac Blue Circle
[1] Mental health facts and statistics, Mind, accessed October 2025
[2] Suicide Bereavement: What About Us?, NIHR, September 2018