Assessing and supporting workers psychologically affected by safety hazards is vital for recovery. Still, to address the issue most effectively, several measures need to be followed, combined with effective communication and proper utilization of available courses like an IOSH Working Safely course online and mental health first aid refreshers.
Initial Response and Assessment
The first form of support that needs to be provided is cops, who are meant to ensure that the affected employee is safe and secure. This may involve restraining them from the event scene and dealing with any emergent presentation or physical findings. When the employee is stable and physically safe, a trained first aider or the employee’s supervisor ought to evaluate the psychological condition of the person concerned.
In places such as these, training one gets from a mental health first aid refresher course is instrumental since it prepares the responder to identify symptoms of trauma like shock, confusion, or extreme discomfort. The IOSH Working Safely carried out an assist in this by ensuring that the surrounding physical space is made safe to avoid further accidents.
Empathetic Communication
Effective communication is a critical issue when it comes to assisting a person who has gone through psychological trauma. The individual must be addressed with a lot of understanding, time, and, most importantly, without condemnation. Several times, open-ended questions may enable the employee to release their emotions or thoughts progressively.
The responder should listen actively and indicate to the employee that it is okay to have the particular feelings that they are experiencing. From the refresher course in mental health first aid, physical gestures, including eye contact and even how one holds one’s hands, can go a long way in providing comfort and support to the affected individual.
Give a Practical Support and Resources
When threatened, people first need support, which can be provided by practicing safety measures. This can also refer to providing employees with leave from work or an option to get professional counseling or change their working schedule during recovery. Managers and employers should, therefore, have a map of how to contain the incidents and respond to the affected workers after going through an online IOSH Working Safely course. Further, the responder should educate the recipient about available mental health resources on-site and off, such as EAPs. Indeed, assuring employees that they are not alone in the recovery process will be necessary to establish their morale.
Employee Follow-Up and Ongoing Support
Healing from trauma takes time, and in some cases, help from other people might be required in the long run. Subsequent sessions with the concerned employee can then be conducted to track their performance and other issues. A mental health first aid refresher course may contain information that will allow a person to identify when the person in need may require additional help and refer them to the right practitioner. This is crucial in promoting workplace mental health since people can feel flexible when discussing their conditions or situations.
Training and Preparedness
Online IOSH Working Safely training and a mental health program for refresher Mental health first aid must be purchased to prepare the workforce for safety incidents. These programs ensure that an organization’s staff is knowledgeable in preventing emergencies and managing calamities when they occur. Besides, it is safe to argue that organizations that pay strong attention to the culture of safety and mental health will develop a stronger and healthier workforce.
Final Thoughts
Most of the strategies suggested for helping the workforce after a traumatic safety incident blend support components: affective and procedural strategy. IOSH Working Safely courses delivered through the Internet and mental health first aid refresher training can be integrated into the workplace to improve an organization’s capacity to handle such complex cases.
