Construction’s Dark Secret: Are We Sacrificing Lives for Profit?

Stephen Gardner, Gold Coast - Profit over people

It’s time to confront a harsh reality: the construction industry is addicted to profit at the expense of safety, mental health, and sustainability. We say we care about our teams, but how often do we actually put their well-being above the bottom line?

💥 Safety vs. Speed: How many times have we seen projects fast-tracked at the cost of safety? Reports of preventable injuries continue to rise, yet deadlines are pushed harder than ever (Safe Work Australia, 2023). Are we valuing schedules over lives?

💥 Burnout as the Norm: We celebrate long hours and toughness, but at what cost? Burnout, mental health crises, and turnover are rampant. Research shows that construction workers in Australia are 53% more likely to die by suicide than the national average (Australian Institute of Health and Safety, 2022). While we call workers “the backbone of our industry,” the conditions we place on them tell a different story (Gardner, 2024).

💥 Greenwashing vs. Real Sustainability: Sustainability has become a buzzword, yet how many projects are truly prioritising environmental impact over quick profits? How many times do we see token gestures that don’t significantly reduce environmental impact? The Green Building Council of Australia warns that greenwashing is a genuine threat, creating a facade of sustainability with little substance (GBCA, 2023).

Where Do We Draw the Line?

If we’re serious about building a sustainable future, we must address the elephant in the room: Are we willing to sacrifice some profits to build safer, healthier workplaces and prioritise sustainability? Or are we content with superficial changes that appease shareholders while endangering workers and the planet?

It’s time for real change, not lip service. If we don’t start putting people and the planet over profits, we’re heading toward an unsustainable and morally bankrupt industry (Turner, 2022).

The question is: How far are we willing to go in prioritising profit over people? Let’s hear your thoughts.

Hashtags: #ConstructionLeadership #SafetyOverProfit #MentalHealthMatters #EndGreenwashing #SustainabilityInConstruction #RealChange #BuildBetter #ConstructionIndustry #TimeForAccountability

Author Bio: Stephen Gardner holds a PhD in construction project management and has led multi-million-dollar projects across Australia. His work challenges the construction industry to go beyond profits and commit to building a sustainable, safe, and people-first future.

References:

• Gardner, S. (2024). Technical and Interpersonal Skills and Characteristics of Successful Construction Project Managers. Griffith University.

• Australian Institute of Health and Safety (2022). Mental Health and Suicide in the Construction Industry.

• Safe Work Australia (2023). Workplace Injuries and Safety in Construction.

• Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) (2023). The Risks of Greenwashing in Sustainable Construction.

• Turner, J. (2022). Leadership, Ethics, and Sustainable Practices in Modern Construction.