A proposed CSA standard has been developed, setting out optimistic goals and processes for achieving “psychological health and safety” in the workplace.

The Canadian Standards Association (CSA) released the draft standard on Nov. 1, 2011 for a public consultation that ended on Jan. 6, 2012. The final standard, which is expected to be published in early 2012, is intended to provide organizations with the necessary tools and guidance to achieve “measureable improvements in psychological health and safety” for employees. It prescribes specific steps employers should take to develop and maintain psychologically healthy and safe workplaces.

On October 4, 2011, the Court of Appeal for Ontario granted leave to appeal to Blue Mountain Resorts Ltd. in its bid to overturn a recent OHS decision issued by the Divisional Court.

All too frequently Canadian workers experience violence from criminal intruders into the workplace. New reports are replete with tales of retail and service sector employees in restaurants, stores, banks and taxis being seriously or fatally injured by crime. And despite the proliferation of OHS provisions designed to protect workers from workplace violence, OHS enforcers rarely, if ever, view violence from criminal intruders as requiring enforcement by orders or prosecution.

That may be about to change.

Heenan Blaikie's Cheryl Edwards and Jeremy Warning offer an analysis of the recommendations put forth by the advisor panel tasked to review Ontario's OHS enforcement system.