Protecting High-Hazard Public Sector Workers with Cory Worden

Dive into Episode #123 of the Psych Health and Safety USA Podcast, featuring host Dr. I. David Daniels, PhD, CSD, VPS, and special guest Cory Worden, an Air Force Veteran and Safety Manager with the City of Houston, Texas, who oversees health and safety for many of the city’s most hazardous occupations, including the fire, police, and emergency management functions. Cory brings his experience from the military into the public sector, focused on some of the most significant safety challenges that face the 4th largest city in the United States. Public sector work can be high hazard due to many factors, including: • Public employees face a variety of hazards, including exposure to toxic chemicals, blood-borne diseases, and indoor air pollution. • Public employees are at a higher risk of assault and violence at work from clients, patients, and others. • State and local public-sector employees are 64% more likely to be injured than private-sector employees. Public sector workers also face many mental health challenges, including: • Workers, especially educators, health care workers, and law enforcement officials, can experience trauma and secondary trauma from their work. Secondary trauma is the emotional distress that occurs when hearing about someone else's traumatic experiences. • Workers are often exposed to life-threatening situations and emergencies, which can lead to job-related stress