Psychological Health & Safety in the Workplace

What is a psychologically healthy and safe workplace?

The CSA Standard Z1003-13 (R2018) “Psychological health and safety in the workplace – Prevention, promotion, and guidance to staged implementation” defines a psychologically healthy and safe workplace as a “workplace that promotes workers’ psychological well-being and actively works to prevent harm to worker psychological health including in negligent, reckless, or intentional ways.”

Psychological health is related to mental health, which is also defined in Z1003 as “a state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.” This definition references the World Health Organization, who note that in this positive sense, mental health is the foundation of well-being and effective functioning for an individual and for a community.

Thirteen organizational factors that impact organizational health, the health of individual employees and the financial bottom line, including the way work is carried out and the context in which work occurs risk are outlined in the Z1003. The 13 factors are discussed in the OSH Answers document Mental Health – Psychosocial Risk Factors in the Workplace.

For more information, or to bring this training to your organization or  community please contact Lill Petrella at 519-752-2998, ext. 112, or email lill@cmhabhn.ca