Foreman or Coworker: Supporting a Crew Member in Recovery (Without Playing Therapist)

Why supporting a crew member in recovery matters on-site

Long days, night shifts, pain, and stress show up at work—and so do cravings. Your job isn’t therapy. It’s safety, steady work, and looking out for your crew. This guide provides both foremen and coworkers with plain-language tools for supporting a crew member in recovery without crossing boundaries.

The quick approach (works for foremen and coworkers)

1. Safety first. If something’s off, change the task or take a quick break—calm and private.

2. Tools, not lectures. Offer one simple reset (BRACE), not a big talk.

3. Boundaries. Keep it about the job and next steps. No prying, no labels.

Scripts you can use today

If you’re the foreman (60–90s)

• Check-in: “You good to finish the next hour? Want a quick reset or a different task?”

• Task swap: “I’m moving you to [safer task] for now—better fit today.”

• Offer a tool: “Try BRACE: Breathe 30s, Reset posture, Anchor one small task, Check water/food, Exit the area 2 minutes—then come back.”

• Next step: “If you want simple support built for shift work, there’s a coach for men in the trades—coaching, not therapy. No pressure.”

If you’re a coworker (30–60s)

• Quiet nudge: “Walk with me for two minutes.”

• Simple plan: “Let’s do one small job, grab water, then back at it.”

• Door open: “If you want tools that don’t feel like a lecture, this coach helps trades guys. I’ll send the link.”

Do / Don’t (for both roles)

Do

• Keep it private and short.

• Offer one tool + one next step.

• Log/note changes if you’re the foreman (task, break, plan).

Don’t

• Don’t diagnose, label, or dig for personal details.

• Don’t promise confidentiality you can’t keep on safety issues.

• Don’t give medical advice.

When to escalate (and what to say)

• Immediate safety risk (impaired, hazardous behaviour): stop work and follow company protocol.

  • “For safety, we’re stopping this task now and following procedure.”

• Repeated issues after coaching options: involve Safety/HR.

  • “We’ve tried adjustments; I’m looping in Safety to handle this right.”

• Crisis signs (self-harm talk or severe distress): follow emergency steps immediately.

Tools that help on the spot

• BRACE (2-minute reset): Breathe 30s → Reset posture → Anchor one small task → Check water/food → Exit trigger 2 minutes.

• 30-Minute Post-Shift Turnaround: wash up → hydrate + quick fuel → set tomorrow’s top 3 → phone to DND → lights-out routine.

• Hands-busy swap (90s): move feet, change view, do a tiny task (coil cords, wipe tools, sort fasteners), then return.

  
  

Want the pocket cards/worksheet? 👉 Book a free 30-minute Game-Plan Call

Culture: make supporting a crew member in recovery normal

• Put BRACE/post-shift cards beside PPE and heat-stress notes.

• Keep reminders to 2–3 minutes in tailgates.

• Repeat weekly; habits beat one long lecture.

• Model it: water, fuel, and resets aren’t weaknesses—they’re risk control.

FAQ (fast)

Is this therapy? No—this is coaching and simple routines. Tools you can use on-site and at home.

What if they don’t want help? Respect it. Keep safety first, make a task change if needed, and leave the door open.

Can a coworker share the link, not the boss? Yes. Keep it private and pressure-free.

How to start supporting a crew member in recovery today

• Private check-in → safer task or short break → one tool (BRACE) → one next step.

• Keep boundaries; you’re a foreman/coworker, not a therapist.

• Offer a path: book a free call or contact us—no pressure.

  
  

Need help or have any questions about supporting a friend or coworker? Or looking for advice of your own? 👉 Book a Game-Plan Call or Ask a question here.