2.4. Work-related Trauma & Self-care

THE REALITY OF THE TOWING INDUSTRY

An unfortunate part of the towing industry is that is highly likely that every operator will witness a traumatic scene at some point. Being exposed to extreme injuries or death is something that is very difficult to prepare for and become used to seeing. Unfortunately, it is a reality for operators in the towing industry.

While it is exceptionally difficult to mentally prepare yourself to see these types of scenes, steps can be taken to help deal with the stress and mental toll following a critical incident. Incident and post traumatic stress is not something that only faces first responders and military members, it can affect individuals in all industries, including towing and recovery. Following a critical or traumatic incident, if you are having a difficult time dealing with what you have seen, WreckMaster urges operators to seek out appropriate assistance.

SIGNS AN OPERATOR MAY NEED HELP

WreckMaster urges towers to Keep Your Mind Where Your Body Is; A distracted operator is not a safe operator, and anything the impacts your mental health can have a negative effect on your work. WreckMaster urges operators that are unable to focus on the task at hand to take a step back and help prevent dangerous situations on a scene. If you notice that you are distracted, nervous, short-tempered or unfocused while on a job, it is recommended that an operator remove themselves from the job and seeks some form of assistance.

In skilled trade industries such as towing, mental health and stress are often associated with a certain stigma; the perception that if an operator asks for help or is unable to “man up” then they are weak. This way of thinking is detrimental to keeping the industry safe and efficient. There is no shame in asking for help.

TYPES OF ASSISTANCE

If at any time you feel the need for assistance, there are a number of options out there. Here are some of the most common options: