ASCCSAFE Spring 2025

“The Latest”

By: Joe Whiteman, CSP, CHST, ASCC Director of Safety Services

Each May, the construction industry shines a light on two critical initiatives: National Mental Health Awareness Month and Construction Safety Week (May 5–9, 2025). These efforts remind us that true jobsite safety must include not only physical protection but also mental and emotional well-being. This year, ASCC members have access to powerful tools to turn awareness into action — and we hope you’ll join us in making the most of both.

CIASP’s Mental Health Awareness Month Initiative – S.T.A.N.D.

At the forefront of this year’s Mental Health Month efforts is the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention (CIASP), an organization I’m honored to serve as a Board Trustee. CIASP has released a comprehensive five-week Mental Health Toolkit built specifically for the construction industry. The initiative is structured around the theme S.T.A.N.D., with each week focused on a core action:

• S = STAND – Open the conversation and show visible support on the jobsite
• T = TRAINING – Equip team members to recognize and respond to mental health concerns
• A = AWARENESS – Share warning signs and accessible resources
• N = NORMALIZE – Reduce stigma through safe and honest communication
• D = DECREASE – Provide tools to manage stress and build resilience

The toolkit includes:

• Toolbox talks and weekly guides
• Hardhat stickers, wallet cards, challenge coins
• Posters and social media content
• Planning checklists and customizable support materials

Printed materials are available at no cost while supplies last — including CIASP/988 stickers and poker chips.
To receive them before May, request your materials here:
CIASP Mental Health Toolkit & Request Form

Whether you roll out the full five-week plan or focus on one meaningful conversation, this initiative gives contractors a proven structure for supporting their teams — and reinforcing that mental health is a safety issue.

And if you find value in these materials, I encourage you to support the mission behind them. CIASP is a nonprofit, and its resources, training tools, and outreach efforts are entirely made possible by the generosity of our industry. Donations of any amount make a difference.

Construction Safety Week: Value Every Voice

Running concurrently with Mental Health Awareness Month, Construction Safety Week takes place from May 5–9, 2025, under the unifying theme: “All In Together.” This campaign emphasizes that safety is a collective responsibility, requiring every individual's commitment to planning, ownership, and excellence.​

Each day of the week focuses on a specific aspect of safety culture:​

• Monday, May 5 – Plan with Precision: Emphasizes the importance of meticulous planning in identifying potential hazards and implementing effective risk controls.​
• Tuesday, May 6 – Identifying High Energy Hazards: Focuses on recognizing and mitigating high-risk energy sources, often referred to as "Stuff That Could Kill You" (STCKY), to prevent serious incidents.​Construction Safety Week
• Wednesday, May 7 – Own Your Part: Encourages personal responsibility in safety practices, highlighting the role each team member plays in maintaining a safe work environment.​
• Thursday, May 8 – Engage and Empower Team Members: Promotes open communication and active participation, ensuring that all voices are heard and valued in safety discussions.​
• Friday, May 9 – Commit to Excellence: Reinforces the commitment to executing tasks with precision and pride, fostering a culture of continuous improvement in safety.​

To support these daily themes, Construction Safety Week offers a variety of resources, including:​

• Toolbox talks and discussion guides
• Printable posters and banners
• Multilingual materials
• Engaging videos and case studies​

All resources are available for free download at: Construction Safety Week Resources​Construction Safety Week

By integrating these daily themes into your safety programs, you can reinforce a culture where every team member feels responsible for and empowered in maintaining a safe workplace.

When combined with the CIASP Mental Health Toolkit, the two initiatives offer a powerful opportunity to talk about safety in a more holistic way. Safety Week provides the platform to address communication, trust, and team culture, while the CIASP campaign delivers practical tools for addressing mental health and suicide prevention head-on.

Together, these efforts underscore a message ASCC has long championed: jobsite safety is not just about preventing physical injuries — it’s about creating a workplace where every worker feels seen, supported, and valued.

Share Your Efforts, Inspire the Industry

As you roll out these initiatives this May, we encourage ASCC members to document and share their participation. Whether you're hosting a CIASP-led toolbox talk, displaying Safety Week banners, or handing out hardhat stickers, post a photo on social media and tag ASCC so we can share your efforts with our members!.

Sharing what you’re doing not only celebrates your company’s commitment, it helps other members learn from your example. These shared moments — whether on a jobsite or online — create the momentum we need to normalize these conversations industry-wide.

Let’s show the industry that safety goes beyond PPE. It means protecting our people — physically, mentally, and emotionally. And it starts with standing together.