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Utility Safety Podcast – Confronting the Silent Epidemic – A Conversation on Suicide Prevention in the Utility Industry

Written by Podbean Account on . Posted in Utility Safety Podcast.

In this incredibly moving and vital episode of Incident Prevention’s Utility Safety Podcast, host Kate Wade is joined by Rob Duplain, a project superintendent, and Bill Martin, President of Think Tank LLC. The conversation centers on the critical issue of suicide, particularly within the utility and construction industries, sparked by a powerful LinkedIn post Rob wrote in honor of National Suicide Awareness Month. Rob shares his profound personal story of losing both his best friend and his mother to suicide, opening the door to a candid discussion on navigating grief and leveraging trauma to help others.

Together, they explore practical ways to foster genuine human connection and psychological safety in the workplace. The discussion covers simple but powerful actions like a “buddy check”, the importance of authentic leadership, and how to create an environment where it’s safe for employees to be vulnerable and support one another. This episode is more than a conversation; it’s a model for how to talk about uncomfortable but necessary topics to build stronger, safer, and healthier teams.

Key Takeaways

  • The Power of the “Buddy Check”: A simple, consistent text message like “buddy check” can be a powerful tool to let a coworker know you are thinking of them beyond the scope of work. It helps build a foundation of genuine care that makes it easier to notice when someone is struggling.
  • Authentic Leadership Builds Trust: True leadership isn’t just about being in charge; it’s about showing up for your people, especially when mistakes happen. By meeting people where they are and creating a safe space to be vulnerable, leaders can build the trust necessary for open communication.
  • Proactive Connection Over Reactive Rituals: The industry often shows solidarity after a tragedy, such as with bucket trucks at a funeral, but fails to see the weak signals beforehand. The focus must shift to building foundational, day-to-day relationships to prevent tragedies before they happen, as there’s “no party for the thing that doesn’t happen”.

Proactive Connection Over Reactive Rituals: The industry often shows solidarity after a tragedy, such as with bucket trucks at a funeral, but fails to see the weak signals beforehand. The focus must shift to building foundational, day-to-day relationships to prevent tragedies before they happen, as there’s “no party for the thing that doesn’t happen”.

Q&A

Question 1: What is a simple, actionable step someone can take to support a colleague’s mental well-being?

  • Answer: Rob Duplain suggests sending a quick, simple text that just says “buddy check”. This small, consistent action lets the person know you are thinking of them and opens the door for deeper connection beyond just project updates.

Question 2: Why do traditional classroom-style trainings often fail to engage workers in the utility industry?

  • Answer: Bill Martin explains that many field workers are kinesthetic learners who “have to move to think”. When forced to sit in rows, they often disengage, slouch, and cross their arms, whereas on a job site, they naturally gather in circles to communicate and collaborate.

Question 3: What does it mean to be “above the line” vs. “below the line” when handling a problem at work?

  • Answer: Drawing from the work of Brené Brown, Bill Martin explains that being “below the line” means reacting to a problem by becoming a villain, victim, or hero. To be “above the line,” one must act as a creator, challenger, or coach, focusing on learning from the outcome and moving forward constructively.

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