ABOUT

Construction is the UK’s deadliest industry, losing on average 2 workers every working day. Not to the dangers of the job, but to suicide. In a survey by the Chartered Institute of Building, 26% of construction professionals said they had considered taking their own life in the previous 12 months.

While every measure is taken to prevent physical harm, there’s no equivalent to safeguarding the workers from anxiety and depression. 7,500 construction workers surveyed, 95% were unaware of a single initiative open to anyone suffering from stress and anxiety.

In construction, physical safety gear is mandatory and cautionary messaging everywhere. But when it comes to stress and depression, there’s no equivalent to safeguarding the workers. The idea was to make mental health visible.

But how do you stand out in an already crowded space? We started by choosing a medium that was already on site and synonymous with safety - the high vis vest. Then combined the iconic colours of safety into a new higher vis design, recognising both the physical and emotional vulnerability of workers.
Our focus was how to reach this audience (construction workers) without creating any stigma around reaching out for help. Ford identified the Lighthouse Club, a charity dedicated to looking after the wellbeing of workers in the industry as a key partner who could help us reach this audience and provide real support when they most needed it.

The vest complied to strict design and manufacturing standards and was introduced to sites via counsellors from Lighthouse Club, the UK’s biggest charity dedicated to mental well-being.
Designed to get help on site, cut through language barriers and get men talking with a 24-hr confidential support helpline on every vest. The design motif initiated a new industry-wide graphic language for mental health.