Survey Shows Reluctance to Implement New Workplace Psychological Safety Standard

This November, CSA Z1003/BNQ 9700, the first Canadian standard for psychological health and safety in the workplace was scheduled to be released (its release has since been delayed until early 2013). The standard provides guidelines to help companies set up a psychological health and safety management system. (For a preview, watch this recorded webinar on the final standard.)

Given the studies showing the various psychological and mental health issues workers are suffering from, such as depression, and their impact on the workplace, you’d think that safety professionals would be eager to implement this voluntary standard.

But when we asked if you planned to implement CSA Z1003 in your workplace, you said:

  • Only if it becomes mandatory (52%)
  • Yes (29%)
  • No (19%).

It is difficult to get management support for the implementation of safety standards that aren’t required by OHS law. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t make the effort to try to get their support’especially considering that psychologically unsafe workplaces cost companies millions.

To get more information on psychological safety in the workplace’including why you should take steps to address it in your workplace’go to the OHS Insider’s Psychological Safety Compliance Centre for:

And at Safety Smart, you can get a safety talk on depression. Not a Safety Smart member’ Sign up for a free 14-day trial.