“How are you today, mate?”
Sometimes the simplest questions are the most powerful.
Every day, blade technicians work in demanding environments, often away from home, under pressure, in all conditions. It’s easy to assume that because someone turns up, gets the job done and has a laugh with the team, they’re doing okay. But that’s not always the case.
A simple “How are you today, mate?” can be the difference between a routine conversation and someone finally opening up about what’s really on their mind. The key is asking it genuinely and being prepared to listen to the answer.
Mental health conversations don’t always start with deep questions. More often, they start with someone taking a moment to show they care. Ask the question. Listen to the answer. It could mean more than you realise.
Wellbeing and Staying Safe
When we talk about safety in the wind industry, most people think about harnesses, procedures, inspections, and protective equipment. Those things are essential of course, but they’re only part of the picture.
Safety also relies on the person wearing the harness, carrying out the inspection, or making the critical decision. Mental health affects all of us. Yet it’s often easier to talk about physical safety than it is to talk about stress, anxiety, fatigue or feeling overwhelmed.
Working in the wind industry means that maintaining focus, making sound decisions and looking out for one another are essential. That’s why mental wellbeing deserves the same attention and care as any other aspect of workplace safety.
Following World Mental Health Day, we’re taking a moment to recognise something that can often be overlooked: looking after our mental wellbeing is an important part of staying safe, both at work and away from it.
The Link Between Mental Health and Safety
The renewable energy industry is built on highly skilled professionals who operate in challenging environments. Whether working at height, travelling to remote locations, or managing demanding project schedules, teams are often required to make important decisions in safety-critical situations.
Mental wellbeing plays a significant role in helping individuals stay focused, resilient, and engaged in their work. When people feel supported, they are better equipped to manage challenges, communicate effectively, and contribute positively to the teams around them.
Just as we take proactive steps to protect physical safety, it is equally important to encourage conversations that support emotional and mental wellbeing.
Recognising the Challenges
Working within the wind energy sector can be incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with unique pressures.
Extended periods away from home, changing work environments, shift patterns, and the demands of delivering projects safely and efficiently can all have an impact on an individual’s wellbeing.
This is why checking in with each other matters.
While everyone experiences challenges differently, creating a culture where people feel comfortable speaking openly and seeking support when needed can make a meaningful difference.
How can you make the most of your time as a wind technician working away from home?
Looking Out for One Another
One of the most effective ways to support wellbeing in the workplace is through the people around us.
A simple check-in with a colleague, taking the time to listen, or offering support during a difficult period can have a real impact. We never know what someone might be dealing with behind the scenes, and sometimes a one to one conversation can make all the difference.
At GEV Group, this belief is reflected in our Mental Health & Wellbeing Group, an employee-led community where members from across the business can share resources, advice, personal experiences and words of encouragement. The group provides a space for people to connect, learn from one another and access useful information that can support their wellbeing, both in and outside of work.
Looking after ourselves and looking out for each other is something we all have a role in. While World Mental Health Day gives us an opportunity to raise awareness, supporting wellbeing is something that matters every day of the year.
Building A Safer Industry Together
You don’t need to have all the answers, and you don’t need to solve someone’s problems. Often, simply asking how someone’s doing and taking the time to listen can make a bigger difference than you realise.
While World Mental Health Day shines a spotlight on wellbeing, it’s not something that should only be talked about once a year. The reality is that we’re all busy. Projects, travel, deadlines and day-to-day demands can make it easy to focus on the task at hand and miss when someone around us might be struggling.
That’s why days like this matter. They give us a reason to pause, reflect and check in with the people around us.
So this week, we’d like to set a simple challenge, to check in with at least one person.
It could be a colleague on site, someone you’ve travelled with, a friend, a family member, or someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. Ask how they’re doing, and take a moment to really listen to the answer. A single conversation might not solve everything, but it could mean more than you realise.
Wellbeing and safety are two sides of the same coin. When people feel supported, they are better equipped to manage challenges, communicate effectively, and contribute positively to the teams around them.
