Global Standards for Managing Psychosocial Hazards in the Workplace

In recent years, psychological health and safety has taken centre stage in global occupational health strategies. With growing recognition of the profound impact that psychosocial hazards have on employee well-being, performance, and retention, countries and international organizations alike are introducing robust regulatory frameworks to address these risks. At the forefront of this shift is ISO 45003, a groundbreaking global standard published in 2021.

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ISO 45003: A Global Benchmark for Psychological Health & Safety

In 2021, the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) released ISO 45003: Occupational Health and Safety Management – Psychological Health and Safety at Work – Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks. This document marks a major milestone in the international effort to protect mental health at work.

ISO 45003 provides comprehensive guidance for organisations to:

• Identify and assess psychosocial hazards
• Implement risk controls
• Promote wellbeing
• Prevent work-related psychological injuries and ill health

The standard is designed to integrate seamlessly into an existing ISO 45001 Occupational Health and Safety Management System, enabling organisations to embed psychological health into broader OHS practices.

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Pioneering Efforts: Canada’s National Standard

Long before ISO 45003, Canada set a global precedent with the National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace, released in 2013. Developed by the Mental Health Commission of Canada in collaboration with CSA Group and the Bureau de normalisation du Québec (BNQ), this voluntary standard:

• Promotes a psychologically safe workplace
• Outlines systemic approaches for continuous improvement
• Has influenced regulatory approaches in many other jurisdictions

Canada remains a leader in workplace mental health and has inspired similar initiatives globally.

Europe: Strong Legislative Action Across the Continent

European countries have been proactive in integrating psychosocial risk management into occupational health and safety laws.

Sweden

Sweden has long emphasized workplace mental health, supported by the Swedish Work Environment Authority, which enforces regulations under the Work Environment Act. Employers are legally required to assess and manage risks related to workload, leadership, and social climate.

Germany

Germany’s Occupational Safety and Health Act mandates employers to assess mental stress as part of risk assessments. The Federal Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (BAuA) provides research and tools to support compliance.

France

France enforces psychosocial risk management through labour laws, which address stress, harassment, and burnout. Employers must assess risks and implement preventive measures, with oversight from labour inspectors.

United Kingdom: The Management Standards Approach

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) in the UK provides a well-established framework known as the Management Standards for Work-Related Stress. This approach supports employers in managing key areas of psychosocial risk, including:

• Demands (e.g., workload)
• Control
• Support
• Relationships
• Role clarity
• Change management

Although not a legal requirement, the standards align with the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, which mandates the provision of a safe working environment, including mental health protections.

Asia and Latin America: Growing Recognition & Action

Japan

Japan has made notable progress through its Stress Check Program, enacted under the Industrial Safety and Health Act. Since 2015, employers with 50+ workers must offer annual stress assessments and improve working conditions based on findings.

South Korea

South Korea enforces psychosocial health through the Occupational Safety and Health Act, with recent amendments targeting overwork, harassment, and emotional labour—particularly in service roles.

Brazil

Brazil’s regulatory landscape is evolving, with a growing focus on mental health and psychosocial risks. The Ministry of Labor supports psychological safety initiatives, especially in high-risk sectors like healthcare and law enforcement.

A Unified Global Movement for Psychosocial Safety

As awareness of mental health continues to rise, regulatory bodies across the globe are responding with stronger protections, clearer guidelines, and enforceable standards. Whether through national legislation or global frameworks like ISO 45003, there is now a shared understanding that psychosocial safety is a core component of occupational health.

By aligning with international best practices and prioritising worker wellbeing, organisations can not only meet compliance expectations—but also create safer, healthier, and more resilient workplaces around the world.

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