CSA For Occupational Health & Safety

News Articles

Q: Why do we need a Canadian occupational health and safety management? System (OHSMS) standard?

A: A Canadian standard recognizes the type of culture that is prevalent in Canadian workplaces and our commitment to principles such as worker involvement. It is geared toward the resources we have in Canada, and it recognizes the work we do with our joint health and safety committees. It is a made-at-home answer to specifically deal with the unique challenges Canadian OHS managers face.

Q: There are so many differing opinions out there on what an OHSMS standard should be. Is this just a watered-down document trying to please everyone and really pleasing no one?

A: In the past, agreement between all the diverse stakeholders in the OHS world has always proved elusive. We’re proud to say the CSA Z1000 standard is Canada’s first truly consensus-based OHS management system standard, which is a credit to the technical committee who worked on the standard. In writing CSA Z1000, the committee brought in different groups with different perspectives and philosophies, and, in the end, everyone agreed on the document. After all, if you don’t have consensus, you don’t have a standard.

Q: Why should I implement the CSA Z1000 standard?

A: Even one injury at your workplace is not worth the risk. The CSA Z1000 standard is not just for large organizations – it was designed to meet the needs of small and medium-sized organizations. Complying with the standard will show your employees you’re doing all the right things to protect them. It shows your joint health and safety committee and labour organizations you are following a standard recognized by both labour and government.

Q: Am I required by law to comply with CSA Z1000?

A: Like all of the CSA OHS standards, CSA Z1000 is a best practice standard. The standard is designed to be complementary to the actions of government in tackling the issue of worker safety. While adherence to CSA Z1000 is not required by law, companies can implement the standard as part of their due diligence initiatives.

Q: Is it going to cost my company a lot of money to implement CSA Z1000?

A: It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. Companies that have a good OHS plan or working to meet an ISO standard, such as ISO 14001 for environmental management or ISO 9001 for quality management, will find it easy to implement. Companies that have to start from scratch may find it takes time and effort to have the programs and processes set up, but the standard does not expect 100 percent compliance immediately. The cost of compliance, among other things, will really depend on the size of your organization, how long it takes and what OHS systems you already have in place.

Q: I’ve already spent so much time and money implementing an ISO standard. Do I now have to start again from scratch?

A: Absolutely not! The CSA Z1000 standard will complement the work companies have already done, particularly with regard to ISO 14001 or ISO 9001. CSA Z1000 also complements a number of standards and guidelines from the United Nation’s International Labour Organization in Geneva, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and other international standards bodies.

Q: Will the CSA Z1000 standard work for my particular industry sector?

A: Different sectors have particular concerns that can be unique to them alone. Because CSA Z1000 is a generic standard for any industry or sector group, it can’t provide detailed sector based guidance. What it does offer for everyone are basic principles to serve as a jumping-off point for a comprehensive OHSMS. CSA is interested in helping sectors develop sector-based applications of Z1000.

Q: What help can CSA give me to implement the CSA Z1000 standard?

A: The CSA Z1000 standard doesn’t just lay out the requirements for an OHSMS; it also provides helpful guidance material to aid you in building an effective program. There are a number of references to materials you may need, including a number of Internet-based resources from the federal government, the provincial and territorial governments, standards-development organizations as well as industry and trade associations. The new CSA Z1000 Smart CD also features value-added tools such as assessment checklists, forms and templates, to help you put the standard into practice. The CSA also offers training programs to help you understand what CSA Z1000 is all about. Not only that, but we can offer our own first-hand experience on implementing the system and becoming CSA Z1000 registered – our own audit was completed in January and CSA has achieved registration.

Why OHS Matters

On average, every day, five Canadians die as a result of work-related accidents and diseases. The Centre for the Study of Living Standards released that shocking statistic in December, 2006, based on statistics compiled by the Association of Workers’ Compensation Boards of Canada. The same study found there were 1,097 workplace fatalities recorded The numbers and rates of workplace fatalities in Canada are troubling. Canada currently ranks among the worst countries in the developed world in OHS. Other countries are making progress in reducing work-related deaths.

Why aren’t we?

We know proactive safety management, through a managed systems approach to OHS, is the key. That’s where CSA Z1000-06, Canada’s first consensus-based OHS management standard can help. For more information on the standard, visit www.csa.ca.