Helping to Heal Families of Workplace Tragedy Presented to: 2016 Fleet Safety Council Annual Conference September 30, 2016
What is a Workplace Tragedy? A work-related Traumatic fatality Life-altering injury Occupational disease Families of workplace tragedy must find a ‘new normal’ and grieve for the life they used to have
Where do these families turn in their grief?
Established as a non-profit in April 2003 Received charitable status in 2007 (Charitable business #87524 8908 RR0001) Providing a variety of peer support programs and services for families affected by workplace tragedy
Mission Threads of Life’s mission is to help families heal through a community of support and to promote the elimination of life-altering workplace injuries, illnesses and deaths
Vision Threads of Life will lead and inspire a culture shift, as a result of which work- related injuries, illnesses and deaths are morally, socially and economically unacceptable.
How do we help families?
1. Offer peer support by connecting families with others who have experienced a similar workplace tragedy Access to trained Subscription to our quarterly newsletter, Threads Volunteer Family Guides
2. Provide access to resources and opportunities to learn healthy coping skills, active listening and promote healing Annual Regional Family Forums: Western, Prairies, Central and Atlantic
3. Give workers and their families opportunities to share their own story and to be a part of raising awareness of workplace injury prevention National Speakers Bureau: The Power of One Story
Honour those that have experienced a workplace tragedy Raise awareness Raise Funds www.stepsforlife.ca
Dealing with Tragedy in the Workplace – Findings Positive: “ The employer closed down the [worksite] for the funeral so that all employees could attend. I felt they did the right thing and it showed respect by doing so .” “This company went above and beyond and promised our family they would never forget our son and would do whatever they could to ensure that it would never happen again”
Dealing with Tragedy in the Workplace – Findings Negative: “I had so many questions as we all did. I wanted to know how? What would make something like this happen, did he suffer ?” “We needed to hear ‘I’m sorry!’. Nobody ever said ‘I’m sorry!’ The incident report had discrepancies and much was blacked out. I needed to know exactly what had happened”
Dealing with Tragedy in the Workplace - Recommendations 1. Go 2. Tell 3. Support 4. Honour 5. Keep in Touch
How Can You Help? Grow Awareness Volunteer/Participate Contribute Financially
Support – Grow Awareness Threads of Life needs to grow our awareness for both: Families who are experiencing a life-altering workplace, injury, illness or fatality Companies and other stakeholder organizations (eg trade associations) that can offer support to Threads of Life
Support - Volunteer Volunteer opportunities could include: • Representing Threads of Life at trade shows • Participating on Steps for Life community walk organizing committees:
Support - Participate This could include: Walking as an individual in your local Steps for Life community Entering a team or teams in our Steps for Life corporate challenge Conducting your own third party event such as a golf tournament or …
Support - Financial Corporate sponsorship support could include: Steps for Life Family Forums Speakers Bureau Volunteer Family Guides Individual contributions
Each worker and family member who has been affected by a workplace tragedy is a thread in the quilt of life. Each thread, by itself, cannot stand alone, but when woven together provides strength. Although we are individuals, we are also connected in the fabric of life. threadsoflife.ca
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