Psychological health and safety deals with the risk of injury to one’s psychological well-being; or in other words, having mental and/or emotional rather than physical cause of harm.

A psychological hazard, or sometimes known as a work stressor, refers to the characteristics of work, such as the work environment or work practices, that have the potential to cause injury.

Examples of psychological hazards in the workplace could include:

• Stress due to poor workplace relationships, isolated work, high job demands, work-life balance, inadequate manager/supervisor support, etc.
• Bullying from management, colleagues, peers, and/or clients.
• Fatigue due to working long hours, overtime, physical/mental overexertion, etc.
• Violence including threats or aggression.

Why Is Psychological Health & Safety Important In The Workplace?

Valuing the psychological health and safety of employees enhances employee engagement. When employees feel safe at work, it’s easier for them to participate in team meetings, projects, collaborations, problem solving, and engaging with clients, customers, and peers.

When not managed appropriately, they can negatively impact an employee’s job satisfaction, commitment to the company, or motivation. Which can then affect the organization through turnover, absenteeism, and productivity levels.

How To Manage Psychological Hazards In The Workplace?

Improving psychological safety in a work setting involves taking precautions to avert injury or danger to employee psychological health that is within the influence and responsibility of an employer.

As an employee, use the following to manage psychological hazards:

• Participate in psychological health and safety initiatives, including anonymous surveys, workshops, training, or feedback
• Report any psychological hazards present in the workplace to your supervisor/manager
• Engage respectfully with clients, colleagues, supervisors, management, and/or owners

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The right to participate is one of the three basic rights that all Canadian employees have, alongside the right to know, and the right to refuse unsafe work.

The right to participate is designed to encourage and allow employees the fundamental right to get involved in keeping their workplace safe and healthy for not only themselves but their co-workers.

How can you invoke your right to participate?

• Volunteer to become the Worker Health & Safety Representative or a member of the Safety Committee.
• Ask questions when you are not sure about a safety related issue.
• Participate in theory and practical training – make sure you ask questions, so you fully understand the materials.
• Take your health and safety training seriously and put what you learn into practice.
• Volunteer to assist with the monthly workplace inspections as a new set of eyes.
• Point out hazards and raise concerns to the safety rep/committee when you see them doing the monthly inspections in your work area.
• Be a role model to your co-workers and demonstrate safety first.
• Report hazards to your supervisor/manager immediately – even if you have already corrected it yourself. It may be part of a larger issue that needs to be addressed.
• Provide your concerns and/or recommendations for improvement to the safety rep/committee or your supervisor/manager. If you think something can be done safer and more efficiently, speak up!

Be an advocate not only for your own safety, but the safety of everyone in your workplace.