Chatting with Workers for a Safer Jobsite

Many of us are in another lockdown. This means increased stress on everyone. Workers are tired of all the precautions and restrictions to their daily lives. Some workers may be the sole breadwinners in the household because family members are restricted from working. All this means more pressure on the worker.

There will be an increase in mental health problems and substance use among workers due to this increased pressure.

When you are on a jobsite take time to chat with the workers as you go about your duties.

This accomplishes several things:

1. It lets you get a sense of how your workers are coping.
2. It will help the mental health of the worker because you’re taking the time to talk to them.
3. You get an opportunity to closely observe workers for signs of impairment.

Just use small talk. It is the most effective way to do it. You don’t have to have a serious talk with a worker to be helpful.

It will help your workers feel appreciated at the very least. It will also give them the chance to bring up something that’s on their mind that you need to know.

A quick chat can make the jobsite safer and even save a life.

By Julian Toy H.S.C. Substance Abuse Professional
Member of The Ontario Association of Mental Health Professionals

If you have questions, need training or literature please contact Julian directly:
Direct Line: 905-866-7301
E-Mail: juliantoy@myaddictionexperts.com
Web: www.myaddictionexperts.com
Services: Fit for Duty/Drug and Alcohol training, COVID 19 Mental Health Training, Fit for Duty/Drug and Alcohol policy development, Defensible Documentation Training and employee Substance Abuse Assessments.
Literature: “Optimizing Mental Health during COVID 19” E-Booklet.
Preferred provider of Fit for Duty/Drug and Alcohol training and COVID 19 Mental Health Training - Eastern Construction Ltd.