Mental Health - Recognizing Psychological Health and Safety Hazards

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.

In general, inspections are one way to observe the workplace for items or situations that may cause harm.  While during a health and safety inspection, unsafe situations can be noted, for example, if a machine needs repair, or if items are misplaced. 
Similarly, items relating to psychological health and safety can be noted as well.  By listening and through observation, worker concerns or complaints that are heard or seen during workplace inspections can be noted as items for follow-up.  For example, it may be appropriate to ask employees about the stressors they experience at work.  The process should be confidential whenever possible.  If there are areas of concern, these items should be reported to the supervisor or delegated person.   In some situations, you may need to consider if situations noted are “just a bad day” or if it is something more.

However, it is not the inspection team's or health and safety committee member's duty to fully assess if psychological hazards are present, nor should they make a diagnosis about a person's state of mental health.  Team members can use observational and conversational skills to note if there is an area of potential concern where further discussion may be necessary. 

The examples outlined below do not list all the possible items for psychological hazards. Adapt this checklist for your workplace's specific needs.