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

The Construction User Magazine back issues
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How did one mechanical contractor president turn a pandemic idea into 51 camps across North America in just five years?

In this episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Angie Simon, Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE). With 35 years at a union mechanical contractor—including 14 as President—and a term as SMACNA National President (2019-2021), Angie saw the workforce crisis coming and decided to act. She launched HMSE in 2021 as a two-shop pilot program teaching high school students about skilled trades through hands-on experience. Today, it's grown to 51 camps across North America, reaching nearly 900 students in 2025. Angie discusses the power of hands-on learning, changing parental perceptions, and building confidence in the next generation. "I thought we were gonna drop a little pebble in the water... I think we're doing a boulder right now, and I think we got tidal waves coming." How can your company get involved?

Angie Simon is Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Heavy Metal Summer Experience (HMSE), a workforce development program that grew from 2 pilot camps in 2021 to 51 camps across North America. She spent 35 years at Western Allied Mechanical, including 14 years as President, and served as SMACNA National President from 2019-2021. Recognizing the construction industry's workforce crisis during the pandemic, Angie created a hands-on summer camp introducing high school students to skilled trades careers. HMSE has reached nearly 900 students and continues expanding rapidly.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

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) Why a SMACNA president saw the workforce crisis coming during the pandemic
• (03:19) The missing piece in construction recruitment: getting parents on board
• (05:15) How two shops in East Palo Alto became a nationwide movement
• (10:42) When a Rhode Island graduate went from camper to employee in one year
• (16:22) Why high school students can weld fire pits but pre-apprentices cannot
• (23:26) Stop complaining and get some skin in the game: advice for contractors
• (29:40) What's next for Heavy Metal Summer Experience and how you can help
• Share with someone who would be interested, like, and subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

Resources:

Heavy Metal Summer Experience Website: https://www.hmse.org/
Email Contact: info@hmse.org (reaches Angie Simon directly)

TAUC Website

Kirk Westwood TAUC

The Construction User Magazine back issues

How is IMPACT tackling the construction workforce shortage that everyone's talking about?

In this episode of Talk the TAUC, host Kirk Westwood sits down with Aaron Bast, the incoming CEO of IMPACT—the Ironworkers Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust. A 30-year ironworker veteran and former business manager of Ironworkers Local 5, Aaron brings firsthand perspective from both the field and management side. He discusses how IMPACT is tackling workforce shortages through expanded training and pre-apprenticeship opportunities while fostering stronger collaboration between contractors and unions. Aaron shares his vision for helping small to medium contractors grow their businesses to create more ironworker jobs and explains the culture shifts necessary for advancing jobsite safety. "The most important thing in our industry is our signatory contractors because we can have the best ironworkers in a room, but if there's no contractors to work for, then none of us have jobs," Aaron emphasizes.

Aaron Bast is the incoming CEO of IMPACT (Ironworkers Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust), bringing 30 years of hands-on ironworking experience to the role. Prior to joining IMPACT, Aaron served as business manager of Ironworkers Local 5 for a decade, where he focused on strengthening partnerships with signatory contractors and creating job opportunities for union members. His career spans both open shop and union construction, giving him a unique perspective on the challenges and advantages of each model. Aaron's leadership approach is rooted in his field experience—from apprentice to journeyman, foreman, and general foreman—combined with his understanding of the business realities contractors face. At IMPACT, he's focused on helping small to medium-sized contractors grow their businesses, expanding workforce training and pre-apprenticeship programs, and building stronger labor-management partnerships across the ironworking industry.

Subscribe now so you don’t miss an episode!

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) Aaron reveals his 30-year journey from ironworker to CEO and his very first job interview
• (02:10) Why signatory contractors are the most important part of the union construction industry
• (03:09) The real reasons workers choose union construction over open shop
• (19:47) What makes strong labor-management partnerships actually work in the field