Brett Lovins
Brett Lovins
Kyle Zimmer - Health & Safety Director - International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 on Recovery Friendly Workplaces
Kyle Zimmer - Health & Safety Director - International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 on Recovery Friendly Workplaces
Kyle Zimmer - Health & Safety Director - International Union of Operating Engineers Local 478 on Recovery Friendly Workplaces
Friday 27th September 2024
Kyle Zimmer discusses how to build recovery-friendly workplaces, drawing from his experience in fire service and construction safety.
54 minutes
Inspiring
Informative
Supportive
Honest
Encouraging
About this podcast
Author:
Brett Lovins
Overview:
Categories:
Sobriety Toolkit
Creative Recovery Journeys
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Understanding Addiction & Recovery
Family Recovery from Addiction
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Get the buttons here!Creating Recovery-Friendly Workplaces: A Chat with Kyle Zimmer
Episode Overview
- Importance of breaking down stigma around mental health and substance abuse.
- Creating recovery-friendly workplaces requires both grassroots efforts and top-down support.
- Distributing naloxone on job sites can save lives and promote open conversations.
- Investing in recovery programs can lead to financial benefits for companies.
- Meeting people where they are is crucial for effective peer support.
"You need to be caring, compassionate, and concerned, and you need to be a good listener"
Ever wondered what it takes to create a recovery-friendly workplace? In this episode, Brett Lovins chats with Kyle Zimmer, the Health and Safety Director for the International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 478. Kyle's journey into peer recovery work is both gripping and inspiring, starting with the tragic power plant explosion in Middletown, Connecticut, in 2010.
Drawing from his extensive background in fire service and construction safety, Kyle shares the lessons learned and the striking parallels between these fields, especially regarding addiction and recovery. Kyle's anecdotes paint a vivid picture of his path from a young cadet in the fire service to a key figure in promoting mental health and recovery in the construction industry.
He discusses how the union's member assistance program was born out of necessity and grew into a vital support system for workers facing substance abuse, mental health issues, and more. Kyle emphasises the importance of breaking down stigma and meeting people where they are, particularly in male-dominated industries where admitting vulnerability can be challenging. One of the standout moments is Kyle’s reflection on how culture change is crucial for creating safer, healthier workplaces.
He recounts how distributing naloxone (Narcan) has become as essential as having AEDs on job sites, illustrating a shift towards prioritising mental health and substance abuse support. Kyle also highlights the financial benefits for companies investing in recovery-friendly initiatives, noting that a healthier workforce ultimately leads to fewer accidents and higher productivity. If you're curious about how grassroots efforts combined with top-down support can transform workplace culture, this episode is a must-listen.
Kyle’s experiences and insights offer a compelling case for why every workplace should strive to be recovery-friendly. So, are you ready to learn how to make your workplace safer and more supportive for everyone?