Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine is the premier workplace health and safety publication in Canada. We cover a wide range of topics ranging from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards.
Issue link: https://digital.thesafetymag.com/i/755877
December/January 2017 9 December/January 2017 9 Sometimes, people think they have to fi x someone, but people in pain just want to be seen and heard, said Kehler. "You have now given them an opportunity to be heard and whether or not they act on that invite is com- pletely out of your control." If people don't respond to a co- worker who appears in distress, there can be many negative consequences, including: the individual's condition worsening; co-workers picking up the slack; decreased team morale; a drop in productivity; increased company costs; and safety risks for all workers, he said. But having lost his best friend to suicide, Kehler said he learned there is only so much you can do to help others. "What I've learned is to say and do everything in that moment so you do not have to look back thinking 'I should have done more.'" And if someone does approach you, ready to talk about her issues, it's best to let her talk, he said. "If you spit back these four power- ful words: 'Help me to understand,' watch what happens. See, the moment that they start to talk about some of their pain, there will be a release. Darkness simply cannot sur- vive in light," said Kehler. "Obviously, if safety is at stake, then we need to do more than just listen, but this is an incredible start- ing point where we have the ability to change people's lives." Sarah Dobson is the editor of Canadian HR Reporter, a sister publication of COS. CANADA'S BEST HEALTH + SAFETY CULTURE Gold: NB Power Silvers: Borger Group of Companies; Techmation Electric & Controls MINING AND NATURAL RESOURCES Gold: Cementation Canada Silvers: Agnico Eagle Mines Meadowbank Division; Ausenco Engineering Canada HOSPITALITY Gold: Tinhorn Creek Vineyards Silver: Horizon North Camps & Catering BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION Gold: EllisDon Silvers: Borger Group of Companies; Chemco MANUFACTURING Gold: GSK Mississauga Manufacturing Plant Silvers: Durabuilt Windows & Doors; CGC PUBLIC SECTOR / NON-PROFIT Gold: Defence Construction Canada Silvers: Sudbury & District Health Unit; Habitat for Humanity Canada HEALTH CARE Gold: GE Healthcare Silvers: Calgary Laboratory Services; Canadian Blood Services UTILITIES AND ELECTRICAL Gold: PowerStream Silvers: Toronto Hydro; Burlington Hydro TRANSPORTATION Gold: Westcan Bulk Transport Silvers: Voyageur; Horizon North Transportation & Logistics OIL AND GAS Gold: Suncor - East Coast Canada Business Area Silvers: Pronghorn Controls; Weatherford Canada Partnership RETAIL AND SERVICES Gold: CHEP Silvers: Morguard; Univar Canada WELLNESS Gold: PowerStream Silvers: Holland College; Sault Area Hospital PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY Gold: NB Power Silvers: Canadian Security Intelligence Service; County of Wellington YOUNG WORKER SAFETY Gold: Techmation Electric & Controls Silvers: Crystal Fountains; Innovative Automation AWARD winners CHEP employees enjoy the cocktail reception Christina Fox, 3M Canada, presents award to Chris DaPonte, Voyageur Keynote speaker, Allan Kehler, gives a personal and motivational speech PHOTOS: TIM FRASER PHOTOGRAPHY AWARD 2016