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On Oct. 3, 10 members of the B.C. construction industry completed the inaugural training session of the , a BC ��������ion Safety Alliance (BCCSA) initiative developed in partnership with education and addiction expert Dr. Paul Farnan.  

The pioneering program leverages the uniquely powerful asset of workers with lived or learned experience of recovery to offer early, confidential, peer-based intervention to their co-workers before personal substance use challenges can escalate into safety risks, incidents or lost time.

“We’ve often heard that we should be the solution we’re seeking,” says Mike McKenna, executive director of the BCCSA. “Working with Dr. Farnan, we saw the potential of this program to fill a critical support gap for workers facing addiction challenges at the same time as it addresses workplace safety issues.”

In devising the program, Dr. Farnan drew on his many years of experience in addiction and occupational medicine.

“I’ve seen how recovery-informed solutions can transform lives and workplaces,” he says. “The PSRN program gives workers a trusted peer who understands their world and can help guide them safely through our complex health care system. A PSRN is a colleague who has walked the same path. Someone who is there to listen, connect and navigate, but never to judge or provide treatment.”

Nadine Moffat, health and safety manager with Marine Roofing Group of Companies, was among the employees trained in the first session, nominated by the company’s owner.

“My biggest passion is people, and building relationships as a health and safety manager has allowed people to open up to me,” she says. “I have a background in volunteering, outreach and street ministry. I was eager to learn more about the PSRN program, because it’s something I’d already been doing — I just didn’t know the name for it.”

Moffat says she appreciates the PSRN program’s interactive teaching style, based on real-life scenarios as well as its firm research underpinnings. While reducing claims, building a stronger safety culture and improving employee retention are three powerful selling features for the program, she believes one of its greatest benefits is the impact on employees, knowing they work for a company that cares enough to support PSRN training.

“I also love that this program doesn’t end with a framed certificate,” she says. “It prepares you to provide peer support on an ongoing basis. I was excited to hear about plans to establish a community network for PSRNs, which just increases the value of this program.”

Josh Novak, a carpenter with Ledcor, was already actively looking for opportunities to share the insights he gained during his own recovery journey when he was contacted by a member of his company’s health and safety team.

“When they heard about the PSRN program, they told me that this could be the type of opportunity I was looking for,” Novak says. “From my experience with addiction, people who have gotten through it are able to reach the people who are still there. What we bring to the table is our lived experience and being able to show others how we got through it.”

Chris Atchison, president of the British Columbia ��������ion Association, attended the inaugural PSRN training session along with a fellow association representative.

“I found the in-person session to be tremendously valuable and can see the benefits of more employers and crew members gaining this level of insight into the value of recovery-informed workplaces,” he says. “The culture of construction needs to continue to evolve. Through recognition of programs such as PSRN by employers and industry associations, we can increase awareness, increase acceptance, increase support and provide meaningful work for our most valued resource, which is our human resources.”

For Novak, the presence of owners and managers at the first session also spoke volumes about the importance of support for the PSRN program.

“As much goodwill as there is for people in recovery to help each other, I believe there needs to be buy-in from people in the industry who can really drive an initiative like this,” he says. “I was happy to see compassionate people in the room who might not have the same history as me, but who spoke my language.”

For more information on the PSRN program or to secure a position at the next PSRN Education and Training Day on Dec. 8, please click .

This content is an Industry Special by BCCSA in collaboration with ��������Connect™ Media.