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A goal for security officers is for employees to return home safely.
Traditionally, this has led to a focus on physical safety, but it is increasingly evident that safety must also apply to mental health, particularly suicide prevention and awareness.
Angela Cloud, a safety engineer at McCownGordon Construction, will explain the risk factors in the construction industry that can lead to suicidal tendencies and how the industry can respond to this mental health crisis.
During his session at the Safety Leadership Conference 2020, which takes place virtually November 10-12, Cloud will describe how companies can intervene before tragedy strikes. She premiered her session, “Crisis in Construction: Mental Health and Suicide Awareness”, presented together with Kathleen Dobson, in a question and answer session with EHS today.
EHS Today: Can you offer us a brief description of your presentation and describe how it relates to safety leadership?
Cloud: Kathi Dobson and I will present mental health and suicide awareness in the construction industry. As the safety leader, we play a key role in understanding the mental health effects of our most important assets – our employees. It is essential to understand what we can do to give our employees the help and resources they need not only to be safe at work but also in a safe frame of mind.
Why are you interested in the topic of your presentation and why is it important to SLC attendees?
This topic interests me because I believe that this sector is in crisis. The construction industry has the second highest suicide rate of any occupation in the United States. We always encourage our individuals to be safe beyond work and always strive to send employees home in the same condition they arrived. We have to understand that this extends to more than just scale security or PPE, etc. Mental health plays an equally important role in safety.
What are the suggestions you hope to leave to the participants?
I hope attendees will take away a better understanding of suicide risk factors, including opioid crises, and how we can all intervene and make a difference in improving the mental health of our employees.
Please share an example of personal or professional experience you have had in relation to safety leadership or the topic of your presentation.
I have the opportunity to field work among some of the hardest working men and women I have ever met. Through this, I have seen the strain this industry places on individuals. I am fortunate to be in a position where I can recognize risk factors and can take action to try and make a difference. I also want to help equip others with this knowledge. We can all do our part to make a difference.
What do you think are some of the most pressing EHS and risk management issues facing business leaders and security professionals in 2020 and beyond?
Given the current circumstances, I think the pandemic is the most pressing EHS and risk management problem we all face. It has shaped the way we do business and taught us all a new way to keep employees safe and sound at work.
Provide additional information or comments on your discussion topic.
I am thrilled to have the opportunity to speak on such an important topic with security leaders!
Editor’s Note: For more information on the 2020 Security Leadership Conference, including registration, click Here.
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