New psychological health and safety standard a first for Canada
EDMONTON – This November, a new workplace psychological health and safety standard will launch which will help employers and employees identify potential psychological dangers in the workplace.
The Mental Health Commission of Canada, the Canadian Standards Association and the Bureau de normalisation du Quebec developed the new standard, a first of its kind in Canada.
“This appears to be an innovative new tool to identify and control psychological hazards in the workplace,” said AUPE Health and Safety Representative Dennis Malayko.
“Hopefully this new standard mirrors the requirements under part 27 of the Alberta Occupational Health and Safety Code, which deals with violence in the workplace,” said Malayko. “Part 27 is a useful tool to identify causation and control of psychological harms in the workplace.”
The new standard will assist employers tackle mental health and wellness issues in the workplace, according to Ian Arnold, a health and safety professional involved in the new standard’s development. It will also help prevent psychological harm and promote psychological health by providing guidelines to various organizations.
AUPE President Guy Smith said the addition of a psychological health and safety standard is a needed addition in workplaces across Canada.
“Mental health is a very important aspect of the overall well-being and productivity of workers. It should be looked at the same way as physical safety standards are. It appears this new standard is a step in that direction,” said Smith.
Organized labour, employers, service providers, academics and regulatory bodies helped to develop the psychological health and safety standard. Input through public consultation was also used.
AUPE is Alberta largest union representing close to 80,000 workers province-wide.
For more information:
Dennis Malayko, AUPE Health and Safety Representative: 780-930-3362
Tyler Bedford, AUPE Communications: 780-930-3406