Concerns have been raised about a lack of guidance for highways workers and employers over the use of anti-depressant medication.
Industry sources have suggested road workers are concerned they would fail drugs tests if they used anti-depressant medication, despite airline pilots being allowed.
According to construction industry charity the Lighthouse Club, every year over 400 construction workers complete suicide, while stress, anxiety or depression account for a fifth of all work related illness.
Highways England does not provide a list of approved substances, but said it would support workers who require medication.
When asked about guidance and approved substances, a Highways England spokesperson said: 'Safety is our first priority, and we want all those working or travelling on our roads to return home safely. We work with our supply chain to encourage best practice across health, safety and the wellbeing of staff.
'It is common practice for our supply chain to have policies in place that cover a broad range of conditions and medication that ensure the use of medication in the workplace does not impact on the health, safety and wellbeing of the worker and others.
'Highways England supports those who may require medication for conditions in order for them to remain working and encourage support from their colleagues and employers.'
Ian Howard, a Highways England mental health workplace champion, suggested that workers should be allowed to take medication as airline pilots can and pointed out that he had never heard of Highways England staff being 'confined to barracks'.
However he did not give a list of approved substances for workers.
The Civil Aviation Authority refers to European Aviation Safety Agency guidelines, which allow commonly used anti-depressant medication in the form of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors - sertraline, citalopram and escitalopram.
In rail, a Network Rail spokesman said: 'The headcount within our organisation is vast (around 40,000), and the medication our employees are administered by their general practitioner could be reflective of this. Because of that, we do not have a policy specifically for anti-depressants.
'However, we do have a service that requires the disclosure of medication via our medication enquiry service where a safety critical role is undertaken. The medication, its active ingredients and dosage is then reviewed by a pharmacist; advice is then provided dependant on the side effects anticipated and is shared with the individual and line manager.
George Lee, chief executive of the Highways Term Maintenance Association (HTMA), which represents contractors who manage more than 80% of the highway network within the UK, said employers have a legal responsibility to protect the health and safety of their employees.
'Individual employers have to make a judgement that protects all the workforce, which points to a case by case analysis.'
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