Fortel Group has partnered with the Supply Chain Sustainability School (SCSS) to launch the campaign.
Workers completing courses including the SCSS’ Fairness, Inclusion and Respect (FIR) ambassador programme, Mental Health First Aid training or Fortel Group’s own LGBTQ+ Ally training can wear hard hat stickers advertising the fact.
Fortel said the stickers will “highlight their expertise, as well as raising awareness on site as to who can be confidently and confidentially approached for conversations on these issues.”
Amar Sandhawalia, Fortel Group Chief Operating Officer, said: “The construction industry is making great strides towards creating a more diverse, inclusive and welcoming environment for people of all backgrounds.
“Our team works with our clients and partners at sites across the UK and we hope that by launching this scheme, we can start positive conversations, as well as boost awareness of the fantastic training opportunities that are available.
“When someone goes out of their way to learn more about what they can do to help others feel comfortable in the workplace, we want them to be proud of that and encourage others to do the same.”
Ian Heptonstall, Director at the Supply Chain Sustainability School, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting Fortel in rolling out their sticker scheme.
“This is a great initiative that encourages open conversations and will help nurture a more inclusive and respectful workplace culture.”
Fortel supplies more than 2,000 staff to more than 130 projects across the UK.
Concrete specialist Kelly Formwork is also using hard hat stickers to highlight workers’ qualifications.
Kelly’s operatives on HS2 have QR codes on their hard hats which can be easily scanned to confirm training in areas like first aid and mental health.
It also automatically links and downloads information from CITB, CSCS,NOCN and IPAF allowing a visual inspection of current cards.
The QR code for each operative can be scanned in seconds using a mobile device with camera and immediately links to a summary page documenting the users certifications, cards and expiry dates.
Site hoardings can be used to improve industry’s mental health
The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity has launched its ‘Help Inside the Hard Hat’ campaign to raise awareness of mental wellbeing issues in the industry.
All of the campaign resources are available to download free of charge from the charity’s website so that everyone can get involved.
Contractors who want to ‘go large’ with their support can also get free artwork suitable for hoardings and site buildings.
Lighthouse CEO Bill Hill said: “We want to deliver a message of hope and reassure our construction community that ‘we’ve got their back’ and that we are working tirelessly to ensure that no construction worker or their family is alone in a crisis.
“We really want the industry to get behind this campaign so that our workforce knows about all of the resources we have available to help inside the hard hat.
“This is all about removing the stigma of talking openly about emotional wellbeing and encouraging people to start a conversation by checking that their work mates are OK. This one simple action could make all the difference to someone and could even save a life.
“For the first time ever we’re also encouraging the industry to share our messaging, not just within the boundaries of a site but on external hoardings too.”
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