Stop. Make a Change 2026 returns across UK construction sector
29 September 2026
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) is calling on organisations across the built environment sector to get involved in Stop. Make a Change 2026, a nationwide campaign encouraging businesses to stop, reflect and take positive action on health, safety and wellbeing.
Running throughout October, the campaign brings together employers, workers, clients and organisations from across the built environment to focus on three critical areas: serious injuries and fatalities (SIFs), serious work-related health conditions and mental health.
Stop. Make a Change 2026 is the only nationwide campaign of its kind, with companies temporarily ceasing work to give their people time to participate in sessions aimed at improving health, safety and wellbeing. The campaign has run every year since 2017, involving hundreds of CECA members, the broader built environment sector and clients and reaching tens of thousands of operatives.
To support this year’s campaign, CECA is providing free resources alongside a programme of events, meetings, webinars and other learning opportunities for organisations across the sector. The programme covers a wide range of topics, including workplace substance misuse, trauma, safe driving, drug driving, mental health, the people-plant interface and the use of AI and video technology to improve safety.
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association is the trade body for the UK’s civil engineering contractors, representing more than 300 members across England, Scotland and Wales. Its members work day-to-day to deliver, upgrade and maintain the country’s critical infrastructure, across key sectors including transport, energy, water, waste and communications. Together, they deliver around £20 billion of maintenance and improvements to the UK’s vital transport and utility networks each year.
Alongside the immediate risks found on construction sites, the campaign highlights the longer-term impact that workplace exposure can have on health, including occupational cancers, respiratory diseases caused by dust and silica exposure, noise-induced hearing loss and other serious illnesses. It also recognises the pressures associated with demanding projects, long working hours, isolation, financial concerns and personal challenges.
Mental health is a key focus, recognising the stress that can affect people working across construction and infrastructure, including demanding projects, long working hours, isolation, financial concerns and personal challenges. The campaign encourages organisations to consider how these pressures can affect wellbeing and what more can be done to support people across the industry.
Andrew Rippington, chair of the CECA Health, Safety & Wellbeing Group, said: “Stop. Make a Change 2026 is about more than taking a pause, it is about making a commitment that could change a life. Throughout October,
the campaign will bring together organisations from across the construction and infrastructure sectors to share learning, raise awareness and take positive action on safety, occupational health and mental wellbeing.
“I encourage everyone to get involved, make their commitment and take advantage of the excellent free events and resources available through the campaign website.”
The campaign is open to organisations across the built environment sector, with free resources, events, meetings and webinars available to everyone.
For further information, contact CECA Policy & Communications Manager Huston Gilmore: enquiries@ceca.co.uk