Canadian Occupational Safety (COS) magazine is the premier workplace health and safety publication in Canada. We cover a wide range of topics ranging from office to heavy industry, and from general safety management to specific workplace hazards.
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April 2014 27 that attitude may have been accept- able years ago, it is starting to change. "Offi cers coming in now are a lot more cognizant of the fact that you are only human," Knowler says. "These things do happen to you no matter of the fact that you wear armour and a gun belt and you have a dangerous job. If you don't recognize these things openly, then it can harm you as much as a physical injury can." On a corporate level, police services need to really be supporting their offi - cers in terms of accommodation for psychological injuries just as they would physical injuries, Knowler says. "If you break your ankle or if you hurt your back while chasing someone on the job, it's easy to see," he says. "When someone's got an OSI or a psychological injury, it's invisible, you can't see it." There are some signs supervisors can look out for as clues to a possible psychological issue. That includes general shifts in behaviour and atti- tude, such as being quick to anger and rapid mood changes. Then, a conver- sation should be had to determine whether the employee is in need of further assistance, says Jurgens. The fi rst step towards an effective mental health strategy is training and education for upper management, then bringing it down through manag- ers, supervisors and fi nally employees. "We really are trying to get most organizations to look at these issues from a more strategic approach. Train- ing is great, but if it's just a one-off training, you're not going to see a lot of movement or impact," says Jur- gens. "What we try to do is help them consider a strategic approach and take a bite out of this huge project. They need to consider the content — it's not a blame (and) shame approach." To further support employees, the OPP has expanded its employee assis- tance program (EAP) by introducing 25 trained offi cers and seven regional team leads to serve as peer supports. "Those EAP members are there to support offi cers, civilian members, retired members, auxiliary mem- bers and also family members," says Craig. "Basically they're there as a one-on-one support to listen to the employee. It's a confi dential peer that that member hopefully feels com- fortable to reach out to and say, 'You know, I'm not feeling myself.'" Until the overall societal barriers of mental health are broken down, there is still a long way to go, Craig says. "This is not unique to the OPP and not unique to policing and not unique to employers, but stigma is a very strong and negative issue to tackle," she says. "Once you create that environment where people feel comfortable stepping forward with no fear of any reprisal for doing so, then everything else — the training, the education, the processes — will naturally fall into place." Sabrina Nanji writes for Canadian Safety Reporter, a sister publication of COS. PHOTO: MARK BLINCH (REUTERS) Chemical burns cause 54.5% of eye injuries … Your 1st Aid requires burn management in a bottle! by A-Med™ is the only eye wash and skin-rinse licenced by Health Canada with PHMB, EDTA and Phosphate (2). One solution treats all risks, acid and alkali. UNIQUE FORMULA: • PHMB for second degree burns, wound anti-microbial and to reduce wound pain • EDTA chelating effect (binding) to remove minerals, metals (acids & alkali) • Phosphate (2) high buffer capacity to correct the pH of the eyes UNIQUE BOTTLE DESIGN: • Single-hand size, twist'n pour for a quicker rinse • No eye-cup to risk re-circulating caustic solution • Passed the Freeze Challenge Test Contact us to receive a free self-audit guide at www.a-medsupply.com Quality You Can See! © A-MED Neutralizer • 3.375" x 4.875" Ad.indd 1 3/13/14 1:46 PM Police officers stand during funeral services for Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) Constable Vu Pham in Wingham, Ont., March 12, 2010. Pham was fatally shot while on duty.