The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) is to partner with Cancer Research UK and industry charity Mates in Mind to deliver the 2020 ‘Stop. Make a Change’ campaign. (SMAC-20).

The campaign is to run between 10-23 October, to coincide with World Mental Health Day and the European Week for Safety & Health.

SMAC-20 will see employees from across the industry engage in conversations focussing on specific topics with relevance to individual health, enabling those working in UK construction to re-engage with their own health, safety and wellbeing, and to ask themselves what needs to be changed, along with how they might go about making that change.

Among the key areas for discussion will be respiratory health, people/plant interface, mental health and workplace stress, and cancer.

Other topics for discussion include issues regarding access/egress, electrical installations, hand injuries, lifting operations, office safety, slips, trips, & falls, and working at height.

Alasdair Reisner, CECA chief executive, said: “Last year, more than 200,000 people took part in Stop. Make a Change, and given the nation’s experience of the Covid-19 pandemic, there has never been a better time to re-engage with our personal health, safety, and wellbeing.

“CECA is proud to support this important initiative, which will drive positive change, encourage conversation, and enable industry to work together to make sure we address the key health, safety and wellbeing risks our industry faces.”

Coral Jones, head of new partnerships at Cancer Research UK, said: “In the UK, 4 in 10 cancers could be prevented largely by stopping smoking, drinking less alcohol, being safe in the sun, and keeping a healthy weight. In the construction industry smoking rates, alcohol consumption, and sun exposure are higher than average, which could be putting workers at a higher risk of cancer.

“Through this campaign we are hoping to raise awareness of preventable cancer risk factors and help workers stack the odds in their favour. We are excited to work together with the construction industry to help beat cancer.”

James Rudoni, managing director of Mates in Mind, said: “This year especially, the importance of positive mental health cannot be underestimated. As the entire globe battles with an issue of immense scale and unprecedented human impact, the after effects of Covid on the mental health of individuals is yet to be seen.

“The Stop. Make a change campaign is an opportunity for communities to reach out and start a conversation around mental health. This year, we will be encouraging everyone to talk and connect with one another, while encouraging organisations to reinforce the support systems within their workplaces.”

If companies would like to highlight what they are doing during SMAC-20, they are invited use the social media hashtag #StopMakeAChange.

To register your interest in SMAC-20, please e-mail SMAC-20@ceca.co.uk.