Safeonomics Season 2 | Episode 5 with Leslee Montgomery

Safeopedia Podcasts

Welcome to another insightful episode of Safeonomics Season 2! Our hosts, Scott Cuthbert, Co-Founder of Safeopedia, and Gabe Encarnacion, president of BBL Safety, dive deep into the world of mental health in the construction industry with the esteemed Leslee Montgomery, famously known as "Leslee is Awesome."

Leslee shares her journey from a junior CSO to a professional counselor, emphasizing the importance of mental health support on job sites. The discussion highlights how addressing mental health can improve employees' lives, job performance, and overall workplace safety. Practical strategies for safety professionals to build rapport and trust with workers are discussed, including engaging in non-safety conversations and being genuinely present.

Key takeaways include tips on what to look for on job sites to gauge the mental well-being of workers and how to address potential issues effectively. The episode also covers insights on how management can support mental health initiatives and recognize their long-term benefits on productivity and safety.

Highlights include Leslee's approach to building camaraderie on job sites and the importance of understanding and addressing workers' mental health for better job performance. Practical advice for safety professionals to support their teams' mental well-being, as well as real-world examples and success stories from Leslee's experience in the construction industry, are shared.

Don't miss Leslee's tips on building trust and rapport with workers, identifying and addressing signs of mental health issues on job sites, and the role of management in supporting mental health initiatives.

Additional resources mentioned include Mental Health First Aid training and free mental health resources, with links provided in the description. You can also connect with Leslee Montgomery on LinkedIn for more insights and support.