Contractor well-being: The missing piece in infrastructure project success

Contractors make up a huge share of the infrastructure workforce that keeps the country moving. It’s estimated that as many as 56% of the construction industry are either self-employed or working on an agency contract basis. These individuals often work under intense pressure with long shifts, demanding environments and tight deadlines being common parts of working life on site.

Without contract workers, the pace of projects would slow down, meaning missed deadlines and increased costs. Despite the critical importance of the contingent workforce, however, there is a significant difference in support for employed versus contract workers, with initiatives still largely designed only with permanent employees in mind.

This needs to change. Construction workers are three times more likely to end their lives than those in other industries, and over a quarter have considered taking their own lives. Supporting the mental and physical health of all workers must be prioritised, with well-being initiatives focused on the whole workforce, not just permanent employees. Research by The Association for Project Management emphasises that supporting employees’ mental and physical health is not only a productivity tool that improves safety, productivity and project outcomes, but also an ethical imperative.

Tackling tough conditions

The construction industry has some of the toughest workforce conditions, and there is a growing crisis in well-being, with fatigue and stress leading to rising incidents of burnout across project-based environments. Modern methods of construction and the nature of project work come with challenges such as workforce fragmentation and tight deadlines, leading to loneliness, stress and job insecurity across the workforce.

This is especially true for contractors, who may be working away from home in unfamiliar surroundings, with different teams and employers. The instability and isolation experienced by many contract workers can, unfortunately, amplify the challenges, and without access to the mental health resources, training or communication channels enjoyed by their employed counterparts, it is understandable that contract workers are susceptible to poor mental health.

The hidden costs of neglecting contractor well-being

The latest data from the Health and Safety Executive reports that 22.1 million days are taken off work annually due to stress, depression or anxiety, which is more than half of all days lost. This is an  heavy burden for the construction industry which relies on high levels of safety and productivity to succeed. Fatigue and stress increase the risk of mistakes, accidents and absenteeism which impacts schedules, budgets and the delivery of projects.

Poor well-being also affects client confidence, and there’s an increasing expectation from clients and regulators that companies take ownership of their teams’ mental health – regardless of how they are employed. Failure to do so not only leads to negative outcomes for project delivery, but also damages confidence, professional relationships and company reputations.

How MSS Infrastructure (MSSI) supports contractor welfare

At MSSI, we know that a project is only as strong as the people delivering it and that looking after mental health is just as important as physical safety. Our approach to working with clients is built around supporting every worker on site, regardless of employment status.

We provide access to a specialist app, called SAM, which gives workers quick ways to report safety issues and stay connected via briefings whenever suits them. The app also includes access to the Lighthouse Club charity, which manages the construction industry helpline. This vital communication tool offers confidential, 24/7 mental health support for those working in construction and infrastructure. Key support areas include mental and physical well-being, as well as financial advice and information on accessing external, regional support.

As well as these initiatives, we know how poor workplace support or management of issues can lead to a deterioration in mental health, so at MSSI we offer easy ways to flag concerns. These include:

• An on-call team for emergencies outside of office hours
• A commitment to resolving any pay queries within 5 working days
• Jobs boards (of high importance for contractors) and a channel for updating new skills and qualifications to enable better communication around relevant roles
• A ‘fair treatment and consequences model’ in which workers can expect fair treatment when issues are raised, or incidents happen
• Access to training and development

By embedding these practices, MSSI ensures that well-being isn’t treated as a box‑ticking exercise but is an integral part of how work gets done.

The ROI of looking after the contractor workforce

Supporting contractor well-being delivers clear business benefits, and companies that invest in this across the whole team typically see fewer accidents, lower absence rates, higher productivity, better retention, stronger morale and more reliable project delivery.

The HSE’s data shows that stress‑related absence is a major cost for UK employers. Addressing this early can significantly reduce these losses. In infrastructure, where delays and disruptions can be extremely expensive, the return on investment is hard to ignore. A healthier workforce is more productive, safer and more committed which is good for people and businesses alike.

Committing to contractor well-being

The UK’s critical infrastructure projects rely on the combined effort of permanent staff and contractors working together in strong, safe and resilient project teams. It’s imperative that companies consider the entire workforce, not just permanent employees, when offering mental and physical health initiatives and support that extends to everyone on site. By building inclusive well-being into procurement, planning and day‑to‑day site culture, the industry can create stronger, safer and more resilient project teams.

Find out more about how MSSI helps its workforce here.