Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America

OSHA is considering a rule to protect construction workers from heat illness—policies like this save lives! Support water, rest, & shade on hot days by sending a letter of support before Jan. 14! It takes just a moment to act. Take Action: https://lnkd.in/eTfXBam8

OSHA is considering a rule to protect construction workers from heat illness—policies like this save lives! Support water, rest, & shade on hot days by sending a letter of support before Jan. 14! It takes just a moment to act. Take Action: https://lnkd.in/eTfXBam8

Through LEAN LIUNA, the LHSFNA will guide LIUNA Regions, District Councils, Local Unions and health and welfare funds in connecting members with lifesaving resources, providing peer support and paving the way to recovery from life's challenges. Sign up here for updates: https://lnkd.in/eA7zbkUG #LEANLIUNA

In 2024, the Fund made significant strides and saw several accomplishments in safety and health. We look forward to a productive 2025 and a successful future.

When it comes to pain management, medications aren't the only tools at your disposal. Many find other methods can help them control and cope with chronic pain and live more comfortable lives. https://lnkd.in/ez6i2zFg #InternationalMindBodyWellnessDay

What a great event! We were joined by John Dahunsi of OSHA. Key takeaway was a taking a 3-Phase Approach to mental health in the workplace:  1.     Normalizing, asking, understanding 2.     Educating, providing support, and resources 3.     Partnerships and preventative measures Greater St. Louis Construction Laborers' Fund Director, Diana Marburger, GBA, and Recovery Specialists, James Pursell and Aaron Walsh, then stepped up to show how it’s done! It’s James' and Aaron’s daily job for the Laborers. Keys to successfully implementing a similar program in other trades or industries is multi-faceted: 1️⃣Build Strong Partnerships and Secure Stakeholder Buy-In: - Engage Industry Leaders: Identify influential partners who understand the industry's challenges and can advocate for the program. - Collaborate with Health Experts: Partner with addiction specialists, counselors, and wellness professionals to design evidence-based recovery and support systems. - Involve Workers and Unions: Ensure the program is worker-centric by including their voices in its development, fostering trust and engagement. Secure Funding: Leverage grants, employer contributions, or government programs to ensure sustainable financial support. Successful programs may pay for themselves in the long run! 2️⃣ Develop a Comprehensive Support and Training Infrastructure Mentorship Programs: - Prioritize access to peer support tailored to the workforce, who have similar lived experiences. These individuals should also receive training, such as become “community health worker” so they know how to provide guidance and encouragement to seek counseling (as they are not counselors) - Recovery Services: Assist with access to addiction recovery resources, and counseling services. There can be barriers, such as dealing with insurance paperwork or financial stress. - Continuous Learning Opportunities in the Field to Normalize Mental Health discussions 3️⃣ Promote a Culture of Accountability and Inclusivity Destigmatize Recovery: - Launch awareness campaigns to normalize conversations about addiction and recovery, fostering a judgment-free workplace. - Measure Progress and Recognize Achievements: Celebrate milestones and successes to motivate participants and demonstrate the program’s value to all stakeholders. Big thanks to LIUNA - Local 42 in St. Louis for allowing use of their facility, and to our health sponsors Charlie Health, Sana Lake Recovery, #SaferHomesCollaborative, and SLU Center for Environmental Education and Training 📢Please join us at the next event in the "Building Resilience: Mental Health for the Trades" on February 17 at the Machinist Hall in Bridgeton. Laborers' Health & Safety Fund of North America John Gaal, EdD, CHW-C, CPS, CWP, LAP-C #LEANLIUNA #WorkplaceRecovery #MentalHealthMatters #AddictionRecovery #RecoveryIsPossible #MissouriFoundationforMentalHealth #WellnessAtWork

Year after year, falls remain the leading cause of death for construction workers. By understanding the cause of falls and implementing strategic changes, organizations can create a safer work environment and significantly reduce injuries and fatalities. Read more: https://lnkd.in/eDQxbCXg

LIUNA has joined over 250 other organizations in a national effort to reduce drug overdose deaths. Last month, the Fund's Jamie Becker attended the CPWR--The Center for Construction Research and Training's Naloxone in the Workplace workshop, where participants discussed the role that opioid-reversing drugs like naloxone play in first aid and the importance of making them available on all jobsites. Read more: https://lnkd.in/ec8BceN4

“When it comes to protecting the safety and health of LIUNA members, it’s imperative that employers go beyond the bare minimum,” said LIUNA General Secretary-Treasurer and LHSFNA Labor Trustee Michael F. Sabitoni. “Employers should always be seeking out the most protective measures for a job, and the hierarchy of controls provides that framework.” https://lnkd.in/eEg7pjMF

This week, Fund staff attended The Association of Union Constructors State of the Union meetings, where industry leaders, stakeholders, and union representatives came together to discuss the current state, challenges, and future prospects of the union construction industry. #UnionConstruction #Leadership #TAUCbuilt #STUC2024