Mental health is part of health and safety. Stress, fatigue and impairment affect your judgment and reaction time, and they can put you and your crew at risk.
Fitness for work
Impairment can come from alcohol, cannabis, opioids, some prescription or over-the-counter medications and other substances, but also from things like fatigue, stress or illness. On a jobsite, impairment can lead to serious injuries.
- Come to work fit to do the job safely.
- Follow your employer's policy on alcohol, cannabis and other drugs. Some prescription medications can cause drowsiness or slowed reflexes too.
- If you think a co-worker is impaired and at risk, tell your supervisor. It's not the employer's or supervisor's role to diagnose anyone; their role is to identify impairment and act under the workplace policy.
Looking after your mental health
- Work factors such as high stress, long hours, irregular shifts, fatigue and isolation can play a part in substance use problems.
- If your employer has an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), it can help you directly or refer you to community services.
- Substance use disorder is a medical condition, not a choice or a moral failing, and human rights laws treat it as a disability.
If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, call or text 9-8-8, 24 hours a day, every day of the year. If someone's life is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.
Key takeaways
- Impairment can come from substances, fatigue, stress or illness.
- Come to work fit for duty and follow your employer's policy.
- An EAP, if your employer has one, can help or refer you.
- Call or text 9-8-8 any time if you're thinking about suicide.