Hull-based national framework organisation Pagabo has entered into a partnership with city health technology brand Moodbeam to promote wellbeing in construction.
Moodbeam One is the world’s first wearable device, focused on capturing mood in real time through the simple pressing of a button.
Mental health and wellbeing in the sector was already a key concern for the industry, but statistics released by the Chartered Institute of Building show that as it deals with the fallout from coronavirus these issues will become critical.
It found that 26 per cent of construction workers had experienced suicidal thoughts and 97 per cent had experienced stress over the past year - ahead of the pandemic-inflicted downturn
A series of trials has been developed to test how the Moodbeam technology can be used to improve the way construction projects are managed throughout all stages.
The tests involve a wide cross section of the industry including on-site project teams, off-site manufacturing teams, remote working teams and the sub-contracted workforce.
The first round of on-site trials completed prior to the Covid-19 pandemic on live projects from Morgan Sindall Construction and Willmott Dixon. Both staff employed directly and sub-contractors were provided with wristbands, funded by Pagabo’s Innovation fund, and used it to track if they were having a good or bad day at work, in real time. Trials also took place with subcontractors M2 Civils and manufacturer Eco Modular Buildings.
Simon Toplass, chief executive at Pagabo, said: “Everyone involved in these trials recognises that to instigate real change in the industry we need to listen to the voice of all people involved in delivering a project. This includes consultants, manufacturers, contractors and sub-contractors.
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“The industry is starting to talk about the pressure that is felt by its workforce, and this pioneering initiative starts to provide a way of staying in tune with how staff are feeling. The data captured during the trials is completely anonymous and will be used to highlight any challenges and stress points on-site, as well as capturing when things are going well.
“There are so many things that can affect whether workers will have a good or bad day – from weather factors to deadlines, long periods of remote working to unsocial shift patterns – so the Moodbeam One allows a really simple way for people to feedback. Now, as sites are reopening and sections of the workforce are returning to work, the Covid-19 pandemic has created added pressures for people, which will impact their wellbeing both in and out of work. The wristband design allows workers to have a voice through discreet, anonymous feedback – through simply pushing a single button.”
A fully managed dashboard sits behind the wearable tech. It will be available to all contractors and construction sector stakeholders who want to use such a tool to support their teams.
Christina Colmer McHugh, co-founder and director at Moodbeam, said: “Moodbeam is already being used within health and social care, education and workplaces, but this is the first time that Moodbeam has been used on live construction sites and we are delighted to be partnering with Pagabo to help make a change in the sector by working towards improved wellbeing for all.”
The company was inspired by her then seven-year-old girl struggling to deal with a tough situation at school, and a need to keep in touch with her mental state. She joined forces with Hull entrepreneur Jonathan Elvidge, founder of The Gadget Shop, in 2016.
Sean Bradley, managing director for London and Home Counties at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We’re thrilled to be trialling the use of Moodbeam. By allowing staff to tell us when they feel good, we will be able to see where we are performing well, and where they may not be feeling as good, we can examine root causes and make changes or introduce new initiatives accordingly – and in the long run make a change to the industry as a whole.”
Kay Ortatepe, assistant group safety, health and environment inspector, at Willmott Dixon, added: “We’re really proud to be involved in these trials to drive forward for real change in the industry when it comes to wellbeing for our people and our supply chain partners.”