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Psychological Health & Safety: WorkSafeBC’s Framework for Success 

The tourism and hospitality industry is fast-paced and demanding, especially during peak seasons. While delivering exceptional customer experiences is essential, creating a workplace where employees feel supported and safe is equally important. Managing psychological health and safety in the workplace is as essential as managing physical health and safety, and both should be integrated into a comprehensive health and safety program. 

To help workplaces integrate psychological safety into their existing practices, WorkSafeBC has developed a Psychological Health & Safety Framework for Success. Just as physical hazards are addressed using the Risk Management Approach, the Framework for Success emphasizes the importance of identifying and mitigating psychosocial hazards.  

WorkSafeBC’s Framework for Success outlines a structured approach to promoting psychological safety in the workplace, focusing on three foundational pillars that help create a mentally healthy environment. By following these principles, employers can integrate psychological health & safety into their overall health & safety programs, ensuring a well-rounded approach that supports both the mental and physical well-being of workers. The pillars include: 

  1. Show Leadership Commitment: 
  • Leaders need to demonstrate their commitment to psychological health and safety. Demonstrating commitment includes setting the tone, providing necessary resources, and integrating psychological health policies into overall health and safety programs. 
  1. Develop Supportive Managers and Supervisors: 
  • Managers and supervisors play a crucial role in shaping workplace culture. Managers and supervisors should be developed to foster supportive relationships, communicate effectively, and be trained in psychological health and safety. 
  1. Ensure Worker Participation: 
  • Workers should be actively involved in discussions and decisions about workplace mental well-being. Encouraging worker participation can lead to better engagement and a deeper connection to their work. 

The approach to managing psychological health and safety mirrors the approach to managing physical health and safety risks: understanding hazards, implementing safety measures, communicating key information, and monitoring the effectiveness of those measures. A critical first step is identifying psychosocial hazards in the workplace—conditions that have the potential to cause psychological harm. 

WorkSafeBC’s Framework for Success outlines five key categories of psychosocial hazards that need to be assessed to protect workers from psychological risks: 

  • Interpersonal Environment: Issues like harassment, violence, interpersonal conflicts, and lack of respect and civility fall under this category. 
  • Job Design: This includes factors such as unclear job roles, excessive workload, and lack of control over work tasks. 
  • Workplace Conditions: Physical and organizational conditions, such as poor work-life balance, inadequate resources, and unsafe work environments, are considered here. 
  • Need for Employer Supports: The absence of necessary supports from employers, such as mental health resources and supportive management, is a significant hazard. 
  • Exposure to Traumatic Events: This involves workers being exposed to traumatic incidents, which can have lasting psychological effects. There are additional resources available to support Critical Incidences at work including: Critical incident response – WorkSafeBC 

By adopting WorkSafeBC’s Psychological Health & Safety Framework for Success, employers can effectively manage both psychosocial and physical hazards. The framework’s pillars—leadership commitment, supportive management, and worker participation—provide a structured approach to fostering a mentally healthy workplace. Addressing psychosocial hazards not only enhances employee well-being but also contributes to a more resilient and engaged workforce, ultimately leading to improved organizational performance and a safer work environment for everyone. 

Have questions? Want help with Psychological Health & Safety resources and plans in your workplace? Contact one of our Mental Health & Psychological Safety Consultants for free consultation!