The New Canadian Voluntary Standard on Pyschological Health in the Workplace

During January, 2013, the Canadian Standards Association released its most recent standard "Psychological Health and Safety and in the Workplace- Prevention, Promotion, and Guidance to Staged Implementation." The standard, established to meet the increased occurrence of occupational stress among Canadian workers, focuses upon issues such as job stress, workplace violence, work organization (including job design and performance issues, management style, productivity demands, promotion policies, and worker involvement and influence). Although a voluntary standard, it is anticipated that regulatory agencies may use provisions in the standard to establish directives or orders as well as enforce the general duty clause in occupational safety and health laws. (Section 5(a)(1) of the OSHAct states "Each employer shall furnish to each of his employees employment and a place of employment which are free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm to his employees.")

Read the full Report: Psychological health and safety in the workplace