Sharp Rise In Construction Firms Seeking Post Traumatic Stress

CiC (www.cic-eap.co.uk), one of the UK’s leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providers, is seeing a sharp rise in construction firms seeking support to cater for the psychological needs of employees after traumatic on-site incidents.

(PRWEB) August 7, 2006 -- CiC (www.cic-eap.co.uk), one of the UK’s leading Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) providers, is seeing a sharp rise in construction firms seeking support to cater for the psychological needs of employees after traumatic on-site incidents.

Statistics* show some worrying trends within the construction sector:

CiC clinical director, Libby Payne, who has many years experience working with a range of organizations following trauma, gives an example of one occasion following a fatality on a construction site. Not only did staff have to face the fact that a friend and colleague had died, but also had to endure many hours of investigation and questioning over the event. At the end of this process several members of an already shocked and numb workforce had to then face a long drive home. The necessary ongoing investigations were stressful, triggering feelings of guilt and a belief that more could have been done to prevent the accident. In this instance, team leaders, managers and foremen needed training in how to get the best from the investigative process. Their input into the human factors involved in the post-accident investigation were shown to be hugely beneficial.

The support needed after this incident, and for the construction industry as a whole, is unique in many ways. This is due not only to the highly specific working environment but also because it involved a high proportion of contractors were traveling many miles home from the work site, returning to families who were unaware of the trauma and who were unable to provide the support that would naturally occur in a more stable work place. In general, workplace accidents impact on employees, their families and the industry as a whole. Little attention is often given to individuals and groups away from the immediate aftermath of the incident and this lack of attention inhibits organizations from healthy recovery.

The construction industry needs a very specialized form of support for the issues their workforce face both in their personal and professional life. The culture as well as the work is tough, which often inhibits the expression of emotion, leading to delayed or inhibited recovery.

The CEO of CiC, Kate Nowlan, is urging construction firms to take into account the ‘people’ aspects of their organisation and ensure that support mechanisms such as trauma support, counselling and helplines are made available to all employees. Kate recommends that there are key preparation issues that employers should take into account:

- Prepare staff for the psychological effects of a major crisis. This plays a vital part in the prevention of stress disorders which may otherwise lead to absenteeism
- Educate staff as to the likely normal reactions to trauma. Symptoms can include sleeplessness, anxiety, panic attacks, hypervigilance, flashbacks, irritability etc
- Implement an Employee Assistance Programme with 24/7 telephone cover - a freephone confidential helpline number for all staff
- Train managers in such issues as breaking bad news and minimizing the impact of post accident investigations
- Ensure provision of a managerial consultancy programme (through EAP if available) so that managers of organisations have a key 24 hour contact in times of crisis
- Risk assessments. Put in place risk assessment protocols for staff who may have been traumatised. This can be carried out internally or by trauma response experts. If staff have been exposed to major trauma, implement the risk assessment programme with a follow up after six weeks
- Establish contingency plans. HR /OH/ health & safety departments should liaise with business continuity departments, to ensure that ‘people’ aspects of contingency plans are in place.
As well as supporting the psychological needs of employees following trauma, care needs to be given to ongoing health and wellbeing issues. The 2004 / 2005 statistics show that the construction sector carried a prevalence rate of work-related illnesses including musculoskeletal conditions, the effects of noise and vibration and asbestos related diseases. Again, providing employees with a forum in which to discuss these concerns can prove invaluable.

‘I am of the view that the construction industry faces quite specific issues in dealing with emotional and psychological matters that affect employees. The ‘macho’ image that is traditional in the sector means that it can be difficult for staff across the board (whether management or operatives) to access appropriate help.

A confidential helpline can be a crucial factor in allowing people to get support in a safe way, providing an employee with the opportunity to discuss at length practical and emotional problems that may be causing depression, anxiety or stress and giving them access to a place where they are not ‘seen’ by their colleagues. Often the use of a helpline and sometimes face to face counselling can help staff get back to work, and prevent long term sickness absence. Those who are exposed to a traumatic accident on site that may evoke earlier painful memories can be given an opportunity to talk through their experiences and tell their stories.

Those who have been exposed to a series of serious incidents, or who have been responsible for the management of complex safety issues which bring up issues of blame and guilt, or those who have rushed to the aid of others in dangerous situations often find that talking about their experiences in a safe, confidential place enables them to recover quickly and return to work. The last thing an employee may want to tell his manager is that he is suffering from broken nights, has disturbed sleep patterns, is feeling hopeless and depressed and is drinking too much. The last thing a courageous operative wants to disclose is that he is having nightmares and panic attacks, having been involved in an accident where a colleague has been badly injured but where he survived though he did all he could to help his friend. He may find himself in debt, or may be anxious about his relationship at home. These are constant themes in the construction industry, and a responsive and professional confidential programme can be enormously helpful in addressing such matters.’
    
Kate Nowlan, CEO of CiC
CiC offers a 24 hour confidential helpline for employees and managers that is available 365 days of the year. The helpline offers support services including financial, legal and child / family care, retirement and redundancy issues.

CiC was founded in 1988 and works with leading companies both in the UK and overseas to optimise staff support, training and performance. CiC was the first Employee Assistance Programme provider to be audited against the professional standards of the Employee Assistance Programmes Association. CiC currently offers programmes to over 250,000 individuals throughout the public, private and voluntary sectors, with a range of services including Employee Assistance Programmes, Learning & Development programmes, Change Consulting, Coaching, Crisis Management and Critical Incident Support.

Notes to Editor

CiC provide telephone support, management support, face to face counselling, traumatic incident counselling, specialist support services, training and executive coaching and management information. The group specialises in the following services:

Crisis Management – CiC offer a complete Crisis Management and Critical Incident Cover package available 24/7. CiC’s Critical Incident Support staff and specialist trauma team are highly trained and have experience of providing support both to groups and on a one-to-one support basis across a range of situations, including the London 7/7 bombings, the ’04 Madrid train bombings, the Paddington rail crash, armed bank raids, bomb threats/evacuations and sudden deaths in the workplace.

Business Continuity & Critical Incident Support has to be a fundamental part of strategic planning for any forward thinking company nowadays. CiC also address Risk Management in the fields of Business Continuity, Company Risk Reviews, Security and International Travel Advice, and Critical Incident Cover.

EAP – The Employee Assistance Programme is CiC’s most highly demanded service. It focuses on organisational performance and enhanced productivity. Employees benefit from a 24 hour confidential helpline, available 365 days of the year, that offers support for every area of both their personal and professional life.

Management support and face to face counselling are provided as well as specialist support services such as financial, legal and child / family care, retirement, and redundancy issues.

Learning & Development – CiC’s comprehensive training programmes add value to businesses across the spectrum. The specialised training department has diverse front line industry knowledge and experience which allows them to provide considerable depth of advice and training to fit the commercial requirements of any business. CiC use a range of specifically developed learning tools to train people in wide variety of business & management skills. Courses include: General Skills, Business Development, Leadership Skills, Business Continuity, HR Services and Coaching.

###