Psychological Health and Safety
As WCB Nova Scotia prepares to deliver service for a new compensable injury this September—gradual onset psychological injury—preventing psychological injury is an important focus for us and will be a critical part of our Safety and Health Week programming.
To help employers and workers understand gradual-onset psychological injuries and how to prevent them, we’ve created the Psychological Health and Safety Resource Centre.
Now a compensable injury. Link to legislation and policy.
In 2023, industries across Nova Scotia saw:
159 time-loss injuries
Where workers lost 3 or more days of work due to psychological injuries.
Of those, 94 were first responders
What is psychological injury?
A work-related psychological injury can occur from sudden, traumatic events in the workplace.
It can also be caused by repeated significant stressors at work such as ongoing bullying or harassment in the workplace. These are called gradual onset psychological injuries.
Gradual Onset Psychological Injury: An introduction
Watch this video to learn more:
What is harassment and bullying
Workplace harassment/bullying is:
- Verbal aggression or yelling
- Calling someone insulting names
- Vandalizing personal belongings
- Sabotaging someone’s work
- Spreading gossip or rumours
- Engaging in hazing
- Making threats or personal attacks based on someone’s private life or personal characteristics
- Inappropriate sexual conduct
It is not: day-to-day stressors in the workplace relating to interpersonal conflicts that arise out of
Scenarios
5 scenarios illustrating what is/is not workplace bullying harassment.
Take this self-assessment to find out if you are eligible.
How to file a claim
Whether it’s a psychological or physical injury, employers are required to report all injuries to the WCB that require medical attention or where the worker will lose time from work.
Step 1. Open a claim.
Worker and employer fill in injury report together and open claim in MyAccount.
Or
Worker can open a claim on the phone by calling a WCB Client Care Navigator or by visiting a physician to complete a report. Client Care Navigator Contact Number: 1-833-491-8889 or 902-491-8888
Step 2. Client Care Navigator can help connect worker with community resources. And, they can help both worker and your employer discuss safe options for staying connected to work and working safely through this time. (Link to return to work?)
Step 3: A WCB eligibility specialist will contact the worker and employer to discuss the claim. Will gather details. may also need to talk to others who have relevant information as part of the process, such as coworkers or others who may be involved. In order to be eligible, the worker must be diagnosed by a psychologist or psychiatrist.
Step 4: Claim decision made. Worker and employer get the decision in writing.
Step 5: how to file an appeal.
How to prevent psychological workplace injury
Preventing gradual onset psychological injuries starts by understanding:
- How to create a psychologically safe workplace
- The main causes of gradual onset psychological injuries
- How to recognize a potential GPI
- How to talk to a worker about a GPI
Resources:
National Standard of Canada for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace
Return to work for psychological injuries
Not like a broken bone or other physical injury. Some workers may need ongoing support to manage symptoms. There may be setbacks where symptoms recur. And some people may not return to how they were before their injury. These are all normal experiences.
Managing triggers and symptoms
- Workers: communicate early with your employer
- Employers: Be available to listen. Be supportive. Use transitional duties when necessary.