WELLNESS WEDNESDAY #68: Psychological Safety  

Each week, ICBA’s Jordan Bateman reflects on what we’ve learned as we participate in ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program. This program is free for all ICBA members – check out icba.ca/wellness for details.

In construction, there is a never-ending discussion about safety. Every day, safety protocols are articulated and followed. There are signs. There are procedures. There are briefings and huddles and meetings and reminders – all designed to keep workers safe.

More and more companies are now adding mental health discussions to this mix, in order to enhance workers’ psychological safety. This creates a more productive, safer workforce – workers who are engaged, inclusive and innovative.

This can be as simple as ensuring apprentices feel comfortable asking co-workers for help setting up a harness or apparatus they haven’t used much before. Or encouraging anyone who is struggling with mental health to open up and discuss what’s going on with a supervisor or trusted co-worker. There’s no judgment, no disrespect – just a recognition that we’re all working together toward the same goal.

Psychological safety is about culture – making sure no one is afraid to speak up about what’s going on.

ICBA’s Workplace Wellness Program is helping more than 80 companies and 8,000+ construction professionals better understand mental health. The program is free for ICBA members — see icba.ca/wellness.