Res 1049-2025

Whereas, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the rate of suicide amongst male construction workers is 75 percent higher than men in the general population; and Whereas, The latest data available from the Center for Construction Research and Training (CPWR) shows that roughly 6,000 construction workers died by suicide in 2022 compared to about 1,000 workers who died from an actual construction work-related injury; and Whereas, Contributing factors to the high suicide rate include poor access to and utilization of healthcare, job instability or uncertainty, and long-term chronic pain from injuries; and Whereas, Harmful negative attitudes toward seeking mental health treatment that exist within the heavily male-dominated field of construction is also seen as a large contributing factor to the alarmingly disproportionate suicide rate within the industry; and Whereas, It is a common fear of construction workers that voicing struggles could be seen as weakness and lead to the loss of future job opportunities; and Whereas, OSHA-10 and OSHA-30 trainings refer to 10 and 30 hour certification trainings conducted by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), respectively; and Whereas, These courses are designed to train workers and supervisors in the basics of occupational safety and health, covering topics such as workplace safety, workers' rights, hazard prevention, and reporting practices; and Whereas, The incorporation of mental wellness training into these courses could aid in lowering the suicide rate within the construction industry by not only educating workers on mental health but also normalizing it as a topic of conversation thereby lessening its associated stigma and allowing for those struggling to seek out resources or treatment without fear of negative consequences; now, therefore, be it Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls on the United States Congress to introduce and pass, and the president to sign, legislation to incorporate mental wellness training within OSHA-10 and OSHA-30 training. WD 4/15/2025 LS 18700