Misconceptions About the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace

By: Liz Horvath, Hale Health and Safety Solutions

In 2010, the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC) commissioned the development of the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety in the workplace.  This world-class standard, funded by MHCC, with contributions from the Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace and Bell Canada, was developed jointly by CSA Group and BNQ (the Bureau du Normalisation du Quebec).  It is a voluntary standard intended to be used by organizations to establish a framework for creating a psychologically healthy and safe organization, thereby reducing the risk of mental harm to employees and providing support for employees who are suffering from mental illness.

Other countries have recognized the value of this world class standard. In Europe and Australia, efforts are underway to adapt our National Standard as the basis for their own.

Using the National Standard can provide your organization with a framework to manage that change in a systematic and effective manner.  While there have been more than 40,000 downloads of the National Standard since its publication in January 2013, we cannot expect to see significant change overnight.  Real and lasting change takes time.

Let’s clear up some confusion

Just as the National Standard for Occupational Health and Safety Management (CSA Z1000) is not focused on accommodation of injured workers, but on creating a safe workplace for all workers by preventing work-related injury and disease, the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace is also about prevention.  It focuses on creating a workplace that prevents mental injury to workers in reckless, negligent and intentional ways, and promotes conditions and activities that support the mental health of all workers, including those who suffer with mental illness.

Reach out to MaxPeople if you require additional information about the National Standard on Psychological Health and Safety .