{"id":6126,"date":"2022-05-18T14:06:07","date_gmt":"2022-05-18T20:06:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.flatironcorp.com\/?p=6126"},"modified":"2022-05-18T14:10:03","modified_gmt":"2022-05-18T20:10:03","slug":"agc-of-california-flatiron-construction-caltrans-liuna-and-octa-unite-in-stand-down-for-mental-health-awareness-month","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.flatironcorp.com\/news\/agc-of-california-flatiron-construction-caltrans-liuna-and-octa-unite-in-stand-down-for-mental-health-awareness-month\/","title":{"rendered":"AGC of California, Flatiron Construction, Caltrans, LiUNA!, and OCTA Unite in Stand Down for Mental Health Awareness Month"},"content":{"rendered":"

May is Mental Health Awareness Month. Flatiron is proud to have hosted a Mental Health Awareness Stand Down alongside Associated General Contractors of California at our Oso Parkway Project in Orange County, CA. Flatiron Senior Vice President Dale Nelson told the audience \u201cWe need to foster a work environment where we are able to recognize when colleagues are struggling with anxiety, stress, depression or other mental health issues. We need confidence, compassion and strength to respond appropriately and promptly.\u201d For more information, including a toolkit customized for construction managers to educate their teams about dealing with mental health issues, read this news release from Associated General Contractors of California distributed before the event.<\/em><\/p>\n

SACRAMENTO, Calif. \u2013 On Monday, May 16, Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California), along with Flatiron Construction, the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans), the Southern California District Council of Laborers of the Laborers\u2019 International Union of North America (LiUNA!), and the Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) held a Mental Health Awareness Stand Down and call on the construction industry as a whole to recognize the importance of mental health for worker\u2019s safety and well-being.<\/p>\n

\u201cThese unprecedented times have increased awareness of the importance of mental health at home \u2013 and now AGC of California and the construction industry can play a vital role in elevating the conversation about the importance of mental health at work,\u201d said Peter Tateishi, Chief Executive Officer, AGC of California. \u201cWe want every person on every job site to feel supported both physically and emotionally. Safety and mental health go hand in hand \u2013 and we stand down today to acknowledge that there is help for those who are suffering.\u201d<\/p>\n

The stand down, which will take place at Flatiron\u2019s I-5 Oso Parkway Project, recognizes May as Mental Health Awareness Month. Flatiron will halt construction for one hour as workers learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of substance abuse and mental health disorders, including suicidal ideation, from which construction workers are disproportionally inclined to suffer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe need to foster a work environment where we are able to recognize when colleagues are struggling with anxiety, stress, depression or other mental health issues. We need confidence, compassion and strength to respond appropriately and promptly,\u201d said Dale Nelson, Senior Vice President, Flatiron. \u201cLet\u2019s use this opportunity to remind ourselves to bring \u2018our best selves\u2019 to work each day and encourage colleagues to do the same.\u201d<\/p>\n

AGC of California developed a complete toolkit and tutorial<\/a>, available online, for construction employers to educate all employees about the importance of mental health. The free toolkit includes talking points to encourage any employee to reach out for help if they are suffering issues related to substance abuse, suicidal ideation, depression, and other mental health concerns. It is also designed to help employers identify and convey support resources (such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255) and company-specific plans, such as employee assistance programs.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Orange County Transportation Authority could not be successful without the tremendous dedication of the men and women who lace up their boots and do the hard work every day to enhance our streets, freeways and our entire transportation network, which keeps our residents, workers and visitors moving safely,\u201d said Darrell E. Johnson, Chief Executive Officer, OCTA. \u201cThe well-being of construction workers is of critical importance, and I encourage them to focus on their health \u2013 mental and physical \u2013 and take advantage of every resource available. To those workers: We support you and want to see you remain healthy and strong.\u201d<\/p>\n

AGC of California hopes the stand down will inspire other construction companies to initiate their own Mental Health Awareness Stand Downs. AGC of California\u2019s toolkit includes suggestions on how companies can host their own successful stand downs<\/a> to support employees suffering from distress.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe next step is to bridge the gap from increasing awareness of the issue and starting conversations to developing interventions, programs and resources that help those affected,\u201d said Peter Santillan, Secretary-Treasurer, Southern California District Council of Laborers of LiUNA. \u201cIt only makes sense that LiUNA and its signatory contractors build on these opportunities to promote worker mental health and well-being throughout the construction industry. It\u2019s encouraging to see such a positive cultural shift in how mental health is finally being addressed in the industry.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Mental Health Awareness Standdown<\/p>\n

May 16, 2022, at 10 a.m.<\/p>\n

Flatiron Construction\u2019s I-5 Oso Parkway Project<\/p>\n

I-5 & La Paz Road<\/p>\n

Mission Viejo, California<\/p>\n

PPE Required Onsite<\/p>\n

Parking is available at Floor & D\u00e9cor, 25872 Muirlands Blvd., Mission Viejo, CA 92691<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

For more information, please visit www.agc-ca.org\/sites\/mental-health-initiative\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

About the I-5 Oso Parkway Project
\n<\/strong>For the Oso Parkway project, Flatiron Construction is widening a nearly three-mile stretch of Interstate 5 in Southern California\u2019s densely populated Orange County. The addition of additional general-purpose lanes will help meet growing travel demands in the region. Flatiron crews also are constructing seven bridges and 22 retaining walls\u2014plus providing significant improvements to drainage and electrical infrastructure.<\/p>\n

About the Associated General Contractors of California<\/strong>
\nSince 1920, the Associated General Contractors of California (AGC of California) has worked alongside members to provide advocacy, education, career development, and networking opportunities to experienced and next generation construction and contracting professionals. AGC advocates for contractors with state and local governments, while helping members connect with industry leaders through services, innovative programs, and events. Learn more at www.agc-ca.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

About Flatiron Construction<\/strong>
\nFlatiron is the trusted partner to deliver innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges across U.S. and Canada. For public and private clients, Flatiron builds highways and bridges; aviation, rail and transit infrastructure; dams and water facilities; and underground projects. For more on how Flatiron is transforming infrastructure, visit www.flatironcorp.com<\/a>. Flatiron is a subsidiary of HOCHTIEF, an engineering-led global infrastructure group.<\/p>\n

About OCTA<\/strong>
\nThe Orange County Transportation Authority is the county transportation planning commission, responsible for funding and implementing transit and capital projects for a balanced and sustainable transportation system that reflects the diverse travel needs of the county\u2019s 34 cities and 3.2 million residents. With the mission of keeping Orange County moving, this includes freeways and express lanes, bus and rail transit, rideshare, commuter rail and active transportation.<\/p>\n

About Southern California District Council of Laborers and LiUNA!<\/strong>
\nSouthern California District Council of Laborers is a chartered district council of the Laborers\u2019 International Union of North America (LIUNA). The District Council has 12 affiliated locals<\/a>. The objectives of the District Council are to unite the local unions within its jurisdiction in order to advance the economic and other interests of the membership and seek continued improvements in the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreements.<\/p>\n

LiUNA members are on the forefront of the construction industry \u00ada sector that is a powerhouse of 12 million workers producing 5% of our country\u2019s economic output. LiUNA is also one of the most diverse and effective unions representing public service employees. A half-million strong, LiUNA members are united through collective bargaining agreements which help earn family-supporting pay, good benefits and the opportunity for advancement and better lives.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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