“Frasier,” the “cheers” spin-off that ran on NBC from 1993 to 2004, follows the story of an accomplished psychiatrist who takes a position with a local radio station, dispensing mental health advice to callers. With his trusty producer Roz, Frasier confronts issues ranging from infidelity to insomnia to loneliness, inviting every caller to share their woes with the catchphrase, “I’m listening.”

Though we don’t know of any reliable radio psychiatrists, Marlena Chertock charges into the delicate topic of mental health in “Straight Talking About Suicide Prevention” on page 2. Construction workers deal with long hours, increased risk for injuries and time away from family, and strong leadership and a culture of open communication can improve their well-being and decrease the likelihood of suicide. An example can be found in Susan DeGrane’s Training column on page 5. At Mid-City Electric Co., employees undergo mental health education training that includes information on stress management and the risks of opioid abuse. Mid-City Electric also rotates foremen out of particularly intense projects to alleviate stress among teams. 

On that note, in “Growing the Dream Team” (page 6), Tom O’Connor writes that a tight-knit team is an underrated element of safety culture. He delves into the four categories of team building exercises, including those based on personality, activity, skills and problem-solving. Which category do you think trust falls are in?

How do you greet a challenge? Rachel Stull of Hatzel & Buehler Inc. thinks you should give it a wink and a smile. Read more about her philosophy of building rapport with workers in Katie Kuehner-Hebert’s From the Field column on page 7.

Derek Vigstol’s “Making Hazard Determinations” focuses on arc flash boundaries. Though there is some math involved, the good news is that industrial arc flash studies are more common than they used to be. Find that on page 8.  

On page 9, Jim Dollard asks if a second person is needed, and if so, what training they need. Check out the new NFPA 70E requirements coming in the 2027 edition.

And if you make it all the way through this issue and still need some motivation to stay safety-focused, head to page 11 for Chuck Kelly’s “Looking Forward.” There, he reminds us that regardless of the administration making calls at the top, employees making it home to their families is our goal. Safety is always a priority.

We hope you enjoy this issue. We’re signing off, wishing you a good day and good mental health.