BMD raises flag for suicide prevention

BMD Urban supported World Suicide Prevention Day yesterday at the former Gold Coast Parklands site by participating in the Fly the Flag awareness campaign organised by Mates In Construction, a charity established to reduce the incidence of suicide among construction workers.

The event aimed at highlighting the fact that suicide rates within the Queensland construction industry are 46% higher than the average Australian male suicide rate.

BMD Urban General Manager, David Moody said that BMD Urban has been a long-time supporter of Mates In Construction and their suicide prevention initiatives. Recently all BMD Urban south east Queensland sites have undertaken Mates In Construction’s General Awareness Training, aimed at educating team members about how to look out for mates at risk.

“BMD Urban’s project team here at the former Gold Coast Parklands site have all undertaken Mates In Construction’s General Awareness Training with a further eight people completing the intensive Connector course. A Connector is a mate who can keep colleagues safety while connecting them to help,” Mr Moody said.

 BMD Urban has a goal of Zero Harm, emphasising the safety of our people, the environment and the communities in which we operate as the organisation’s top priority. Recently, the former Gold Coast Parklands site celebrated a milestone of one year, and 150,000 man hours Lost Time Injury free.

“Our goal of Zero Harm is very much achievable and this is evidenced by our ability to reach one year Lost Time Injury free. We believe that we can similarly make a difference to reduce suicide rates by raising awareness and creating safe avenues for seeking help, such as through our partners, Mates In Construction,” Mr Moody said.

In addition to today’s  toolbox talk, the site held a fundraiser BBQ and raised a Mates In Construction’s flag as a sign of BMD Urban’s commitment to reducing the devastatingly high rates of suicide in the industry.

Mates In Construction Field Officer Phil Hortz said that the support of organisations like BMD Urban is integral to maintaining and expanding their services to everyone in the Queensland construction industry.

“We regularly present to construction sites where many people have been touched by the devastating effects of suicide. This year we have 252 sites participating in our ‘Fly The Flag’ awareness campaign, including the BMD Urban Gold Coast Parklands site,” Mr Hortz said.