SUICIDE ON JOB FEARS
CARERS and building workers are far more likely to kill themselves, shock figures have revealed.
The toll is twice the national average among carers and three times the average in the building trade.
The Unite union blames the construction industry’s “hire and fire” culture, with short-term contracts.
It also says carers suffer long hours, heavy workloads and insecurity – and up to 10 per cent of UK suicides are linked to workplace stress.
But unions are frustrated many are not investigated by health-and-safety experts.
They want the deaths to be recognised for the industrial injuries benefit scheme, so state compensation can be provided for families.
There were 6,507 suicides in the UK in 2018, the highest recorded since 2002.
Matt Streuli, 30, of Slough, said work pressure drove him to a suicide bid in 2015.
He said staff cuts left him inundated with work for a major manufacturer. He took a year off work after bosses allegedly gave no support. He said: “Staff were treated as cannon fodder. I want suicides to be be reported to the Health and Safety Executive.”
But the HSE said suicides and self-harm incidents do not meet its reporting guidelines.
It said: “We expect employers to assess risks from work-related stress and put in place controls. We encourage creation of mentally healthy workplaces.”
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