Toolbox Talk brief #16 – Mental Health At Work

Why This Topic – Mental Health at Work – Matters

Mental health is part of workplace health and safety. A safe workplace is not only one that prevents physical injury, but also one that reduces harmful stress, fatigue, isolation, bullying, harassment, and excessive workload. WHO states that poor working conditions such as excessive workloads, low job control, discrimination, and job insecurity can harm mental health, while HSE and ILO treat psychosocial risks as legitimate workplace risks that should be assessed and managed like other hazards. 

Poor mental health can affect concentration, decision-making, communication, reaction time, teamwork, and safety performance. In high-risk industries such as maritime, offshore, construction, and heavy operations, that can increase the chance of incidents, errors, and near misses. 

Mental health at work problems are not weakness. Early recognition, early conversation, and early support prevent deterioration and protect both the individual and the team.

Common Workplace Factors That Can Affect Mental Health at Work

Mental health can be affected by one issue or a combination of issues. Common work-related contributors include:

• excessive workload or unrealistic deadlines
• long hours, poor rest, or fatigue
• isolation from family or social support
• unclear roles and poor communication
• lack of control over work
• conflict in the team
• bullying, harassment, or discrimination
• job insecurity or constant pressure
• exposure to traumatic events, incidents, or high responsibility tasks 

In offshore and maritime environments, additional pressures may include confined living conditions, long rotations, weather delays, demanding schedules, night work, and limited privacy.

Early Warning Signs to Look For

A person experiencing stress or mental health difficulties may show changes in behavior, mood, or performance.

HSE highlights signs such as withdrawal, mood swings, loss of motivation, reduced confidence, increased emotional reactions, poor concentration, and changes in attendance or punctuality. Workers may also notice negative thinking, isolation, nervousness, sleep problems, or using alcohol or other substances to cope. 

Typical warning signs may include:

• unusual silence or withdrawal
• irritability or anger
• poor concentration or forgetfulness
• increased mistakes or unsafe acts
• fatigue and low energy
• poor sleep
• reduced motivation
• conflict with others
• avoiding tasks or social contact
• visible distress, anxiety, or hopelessness

What Every Worker Should Do

Each person has a role in protecting mental health at work:

• Speak up early if stress is building up.
• Ask for help before the problem becomes severe.
• Support colleagues without judgment.
• Use rest periods properly.
• Report bullying, harassment, or unsafe pressure.
• Maintain basic routines: sleep, hydration, food, movement, and contact with family where possible.
• Do not ignore signs in yourself or others.

A strong safety culture includes checking on people, not just equipment.

What Supervisors And Team Leaders Should Do

Supervisors should treat psychosocial hazards seriously and act early. HSE states that employers have a duty to assess and manage stress risks, and WHO/ILO guidance supports organizational action such as better work design, manager training, and early support systems. 

Supervisors should:

• create an open, respectful environment
• encourage people to speak without fear
• monitor workload, rest, and fatigue
• give clear instructions and realistic expectations
• address conflict quickly
• stop bullying or disrespect immediately
• check in with workers after incidents, family issues, or visible changes in behavior
• escalate concerns through the proper company support process

Good Mental Health Management in Practice

Good management is practical, not theoretical. It includes:

• fair workload distribution
• adequate manning and realistic schedules
• proper rest and fatigue control
• clear communication during shift handovers
• regular supervisor check-ins
• peer support
• access to medical or employee assistance channels
• prompt follow-up after incidents, near misses, or traumatic events

Mental health management works best when it is built into normal supervision, just like PTW, toolbox talks, and risk assessment.

If you are concerned about someone

Take action early and calmly.

1. Speak privately and respectfully.
2. Ask simple questions such as, “Are you okay?” or “You do not seem yourself lately.”
3. Listen without interrupting or judging.
4. Do not promise secrecy if there is a safety risk.
5. Encourage the person to speak to the supervisor, medic, HR, or designated support contact.
6. Escalate immediately if the person seems unable to work safely or may be at risk of harming themselves or others. 

If you are struggling yourself

• say something early
• do not isolate yourself
• ask for temporary support or adjustment if needed
• use available company support channels
• seek medical advice if symptoms continue or worsen
• in urgent situations, contact emergency support immediately

Supervisor Closing Message

Mental health is a safety issue. We must look after each other, notice changes early, and create a workplace where speaking up is accepted. A person does not need to be in crisis before support is offered. Early action protects the individual, the team, and the operation.

Discussion Points For The Team

Use these questions during the toolbox talk:

• What are the main stressors in our current work scope?
• Are workload and rest being managed properly?
• Would everyone feel comfortable speaking up if they were struggling?
• Do we know who to contact onboard or onshore for support?
• What signs should make us stop and check on a colleague?

See the signs. Start the conversation. Offer support early. Mental health management is part of safe work.

 

Important

The toolbox talks  must be always a dialog and not a monolog. You need to be sure that all your team has a clear understanding of the discussed topics. ALWAYS ASK FOR FEEDBACK – THIS WILL HELP and WILL PROVIDE VALUABLE INPUTS!

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