Why are we losing 20 times more construction workers to suicide than job site accidents?

In this important episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Justin Azbill of Tribal Group to tackle one of construction's most critical challenges: building safety cultures that actually save lives. Justin brings decades of frontline experience—from Marine Corps service to ironworker, firefighter, and safety leader for major contractors like Suffolk Construction and Canestro. He discusses the alarming reality that the industry loses approximately 20,000 workers annually to suicide and substance use disorder, and shares how his innovative Ally Code training is equipping leaders to address mental health proactively. Justin emphasizes that "a culture doesn't change overnight—it could be five years till you see ROI." Can your company afford to wait? Discover why true safety starts with respect, inclusion, and leadership that puts people first.

Justin Azbill is a workforce development and safety specialist with Tribal Group, where he helps contractors and unions strengthen jobsite culture through training, leadership coaching, and inclusive safety programs. A former Marine, ironworker, and firefighter, Justin has held senior safety leadership roles with Suffolk Construction, Canestro, and Milwaukee Tool. He founded Mission Mindset Us to address the construction industry's mental health crisis, which claims approximately 20,000 lives annually. Justin holds a PhD and advocates for a holistic approach to safety centered on respect, accountability, and empowering people at every level of the jobsite.

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Talk the TAUC podcast is brought to you by The Association of Union Constructors (TAUC). Your host, Kirk Westwood, is Director of Marketing for TAUC. In each episode, we’ll explore the latest labor trends, industry insights, and important issues in the world of construction. Our guests are industry leaders, subject matter experts, and innovative visionaries discussing how we are building the ‘world of tomorrow.’ TAUC is made up of more than 1,800 contractor companies that utilize union labor for their projects, as well as local contractor associations and vendors in the industrial maintenance and construction fields. TAUC’s mission is to act as an advocate for union contractors and enhance cooperation between all parties to achieve the successful completion of construction projects.

Discussion points:

• (00:00) From Marine Corps to ironworker to firefighter—Justin's unconventional path into construction safety
• (10:23) The shocking statistics behind construction's mental health crisis
• (13:41) Why traditional safety approaches miss the mark on culture and respect
• (17:44) Understanding the four mindset risks that lead workers to crisis
• (22:28) How the Ally Code is training leaders to spot warning signs and intervene early
• (28:40) Breaking down the real causes of substance use disorder on jobsites
• (30:07) What's next for Tribal Group and the future of the trades code
• Share with someone who would be interested, like, and subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Resources:

https://www.mission-mindsetus.org/

TAUC Website

Kirk Westwood TAUC

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