The Silent Crisis in Construction

While we’ve seen the negative impact of the opioid epidemic has had on various industries, the crisis in construction has moved in silence. Typically workers are injured on-site and are prescribed pain-relieving narcotics to numb the pain. Forcing themselves to return to work early results in exacerbated injuries, loss of productivity, or even death. John Fish, CEO of Suffolk Construction says, “they seek painkillers, then return to work before they heal. If they don’t show up for work, they don’t get paid.”

1 in 8 construction workers who received prescriptions had at least 60 days of opioids within a 90-day period. Unconsciously, workers are forming a habit requiring ever-larger doses to relieve pain. 15.1% of construction workers seek illicit drugs to fill their need.

Massachusetts Department of Public Health report shows that construction workers are six times more likely to die of an opioid overdose than the average worker. All signs point to these numbers still rising, and a hair test may the best hedge against the risks.

Opioid Prescriptions Vary For Injured Construction Workers

Opioids are particularly troubling in safety-sensitive jobs. See how prescriptions for these drugs may be affecting the construction industry more than others.

Construction Industry Tries To Tackle The Opioid Crisis

Nearly 1,000 construction workers across seven states suffered fatal opioid-related overdose. See how the construction industry responds.