ACSA Webinar Series on Psychological Health and Safety (PHS): Key Highlights and Next Steps

From July to September 2024, the Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) held a three-part webinar series focused on improving psychological health and safety (PHS) in Alberta’s construction industry. Led by ACSA’s CEO, Mark Hoosein, and key industry partners, the series explored the mental health challenges faced by construction workers and outlined steps to address PHS in the workplace.

Construction workers in Alberta face a demanding, high-risk environment, with 33% of men in the industry reporting poor mental health and 64% wishing for better employer support (per Statistics Canada). Factors like long shifts, physically demanding work, and tough environments heighten the risk of poor PHS, contributing to higher rates of substance use and addiction.

ACSA is committed to supporting PHS by connecting members with industry partners to enhance understanding, legislative compliance, and business excellence. The webinar series, built on conversations from our 2023 sold-out conference, covered the fundamentals of PHS, psychological injuries, and the shared roles of employers and employees in creating safer, healthier workplaces.

Download the full PHS webinar series highlights document here.

  • Webinar 1: Understanding PHS

In the first webinar, Dr. Karina Thomas, lead of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Prevention Initiative, joined Mark Hoosein to explain the fundamentals of PHS. This session highlighted how addressing PHS in the workplace can positively impact employee mental health. Factors affecting PHS include environmental conditions (e.g., lighting, air quality, noise), organizational factors (e.g., shift work, job security), and personal factors (e.g., physical health, work-life balance).

Watch the webinar here.

  • Webinar 2: Psychological Injuries in Alberta Construction

The second webinar focused on psychological injuries in construction. Specialists from the Workers’ Compensation Board – Alberta discussed how employers can support workers returning from psychological injuries, similar to how they address physical injuries. This session emphasized the importance of providing quick access to care and case-specific recommendations, such as workplace duty modifications and gradual work-hour increases.

  • Webinar 3: Bridging PHS and Employee Mental Health

In the final webinar, Tiana Field-Ridley, Senior Development Manager at Opening Minds, joined Mark to discuss the roles of employers and employees in creating psychologically safe workplaces. Employers must identify, assess, and address psychosocial hazards just as they would with physical hazards. This session provided practical guidance on mitigating psychological risks and emphasized the importance of training opportunities to prevent harm and promote well-being.

Watch the webinar here.

For more details, download the full PHS webinar series highlights document here, and access the full webinars on ACSA’s YouTube channel.

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