Construction workers have significantly higher rates of death by suicide and overdose than American workers overall. To address this issue, NABTU established the NABTU Opioid and Suicide Prevention Task Force. The Task Force is chaired by Chris Cain NABTU Safety and Health Director and Executive Director of of CPWR – The Center for Construction Research and Training. It is composed of representatives from the 14 international unions, employers, building trades council representatives, insurers, and government partners. Our collaboration strives to share successful strategies, address common challenges, and put knowledge into action through training, health programs, member services, and communications.
Additionally, CPWR empowers the construction industry with the knowledge and tools needed to combat opioid overdoses and suicide. By providing essential resources—including toolbox talks, infographics, hazard alerts, and training programs—CPWR supports building trades unions and other industry stakeholders in their efforts to safeguard worker well-being.
Resources to Prevent Opioid Deaths in Construction
- CPWR’s Mental Health & Opioid Resources
- MBTU Recovery Page
- Treatment Finder
- Vetting Guidelines for Substance Use Disorder Treatment Facilities: The NABTU Opioid and Suicide Prevention Task Force adopted guidelines for vetting substance use disorder treatment facilities. They should only be used by health fund administrators, member assistance professionals, or clinicians and are not meant for consumer use. They are meant to be minimum requirements for a rehabilitation center.
The Latest: Construction Worker Overdose Deaths Plummet, Suicides Decline
CPWR recently obtained access to 2024 overdose and suicide data by industry and occupation, and it is encouraging because it demonstrates that our prevention efforts make a difference.
Among construction workers aged 16-64, drug-related overdose deaths declined 28.8% from 2023 to 2024, decreasing from 15.9K to 11.3K. The overdose death rate fell from 135.0 to 94.8 per 100,000 workers. Over 11,000 workers in our industry dying in a year from overdose is still much too high, but the reduction marks meaningful progress and good news! We believe a series of actions, including many our industry has taken, have contributed to fewer lives lost: Education on risks of prescribed opioids and opioids in general Fewer opioid prescriptions between 2019 and 2023 Widespread availability of naloxone on jobsites and in public Decreased stigma around substance use and mental health disorders Improved treatment and recovery support in the construction industry We are committed to continuing these efforts, as well as further improving peer support for construction workers, mental health and substance use treatment access, and awareness training.
Deaths by suicide dropped 1.7% from 2023 to 2024 (5.1K to 5.0K), and the suicide rate decreased from 43.2 to 41.9 per 100,000 workers. We are encouraged by this progress, but our efforts must continue. To make even more substantial reductions in overdose and suicide deaths, the essential actions our industry is already taking must be accompanied by more upstream efforts like reduction of injuries causing pain, increased availability of paid leave, anti-bullying training and policies, and safety culture. They can all weave a tapestry of interventions that will lead to continued decreases in these preventable deaths.
