Enhancing workplace mental health using a new psychological risk assessment tool
What makes the OPRA tool unique?
The core principles of the OPRA tool are what sets it apart in addition to its collaborative approach. Participation of frontline workers doing the job being assessed is imperative to the successful completion of the assessment as the workers’ experiences with job factors related to job demands, job control, and job supports directly informs identification of exposures and workplace factors that contribute to psychological harm. The supervisors’ participation ensures that consideration is given to both job factors and organizational factors when identifying causes of psychological harm.
The OPRA tool uses a risk-based approach to recognize, assess, and control psychological hazards, and guides the user through discussions of both general and sector-specific solutions to prevent psychological harm. The latter are tailored to meet the needs of a particular job in a particular workplace, as identified by participating workers and employers. “The use of the tool is strengthened through that collaboration,” Slot says.
“Worker input ensures that identified solutions are relevant and applicable to the job, and the supervisor’s knowledge of operational challenges helps inform the identification of solutions for health protection and promotion while being mindful of operational constraints,” she adds. “The employer’s role is to commit to creating and maintaining a psychologically safe workplace including supporting the assessment and providing the necessary tools and resources to action identified solutions.”
The future of the OPRA tool
Originally paper-based, PSHSA is rolling out a user-friendly, web-based version of the OPRA tool in the fall. Development of the web-based tool aligns directly with Ontario’s Prevention Works Strategy’s Key Strategic Priority of supporting mental health and preventing workplace harassment and promoting equity, diversity, accessibility, and inclusion across all programs and activities. It also makes health and safety tools and resources easier for small businesses to access and use.
“It’s designed to increase accessibility to psychological health and safety for workplaces of all sizes and geographical locations,” Slot says, adding that from setting up a workplace profile, to helping the organization get started, to facilitating the whole assessment, PSHSA is committed to helping employers leverage OPRA to its full effect.
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