been key goals throughout his more than 13-year career in construction. These goals are also central to his leadership of SHC in the year ahead. A graduate of the U.S. Military Acad-


emy at West Point (BS, Management/ Systems Engineering, 2003), Rodriguez is an Army veteran who has served three combat deployments, including two in the Middle East during the Iraq war, one from 2005-06 and the second from 2008-09. Transitioning into the construction


industry in 2013, Rodriguez brought with him not only strong operational capabilities from his military background but also firsthand experience working with veterans, some of whom suffered from combat-related PTSD and sub- stance use disorders. Tat background has proven useful during his career in the construction industry, which has one of the highest rates of suicide and substance use disorders of any market sector. California Constructor recently spoke


with Rodriguez about construction indus- try safety issues and trends, the growing importance of mental health initiatives, and the leading goals and focus for the AGC of California Safety & Health Council in the year ahead.


California Constructor:Robert, can you share hare how your background in the military heightened your awareness of the issues and struggles with mental health and substance use disorders impacting the construction industry?


Robert Rodriguez: Prior to working in construction safety, I served in the avi- ation branch of the military and took on various roles in aviation safety and later in recruiting. I had the opportunity to serve in three combat deployments and help with Hurricane Katrina relief in Louisiana when that devastation occurred. Being a part of those operations really opened my


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eyes to the importance of mental health. As most people will tell you, people do not come back the same after a combat deployment to a warzone. So mental health is very near and dear to my heart. Many of the same stigmas and bar- riers to mental health apply to both the military and construction communities. People don’t want to show weakness or vulnerability. Breaking down those bar- riers is an essential part of a safety health manager’s role. Tankfully, over the last few years I’ve seen a consistent improve- ment with mental health initiatives and how construction companies are taking a more proactive role in combating mental health problems.


ealth problems California Constructor: alifornia onstructor Have you


experienced the loss of a colleague orperienced the loss off a colleague or coworker yourself to a mental health related issue?


worker yourselff to a mental health ted issue?


Robert Rodriguez: veralencounters in


ober Rodriguez Yes, I’ve hadha several encounters in my life where people either attempted or con- mplated suicide. Several years o at a previous compan I lost colleague who I worked with n one off m


es n m life where


eople either attempted or con- templated suicide. Several years ago a a previous company I lost a colleague who I worked with on one of my projects to a fentanyl overdose. Unfortunately, we didn’t see it coming. People often don’t want to show or talk about their struggles, especially in the workplace.


dose Unfor


coming. People oftendon’t ow orw talkr pecially


k about theirt r str y in the workplace ve you


Having those experiences changes you as a person. It helps you realize how important it is to address these issues head-on.


California Constructor:Are you encour- aged by the increasing focus the industry has placed on addressing mental health and suicide prevention in the years since you started your career in construction?


Robert Rodriguez: It is encouraging. But we are not just approaching this as a “box check.” Te industry is being very genuine and sincere—it’s not just “let’s focus on the next best thing” and then move on. It’s actually being real with people. All off that is encouraging


ve on. It’ actually being real with people. All of that is encouraging to me.


g to me


ojects to a fentanyl tely, we didn’t see t want


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