Report from the CSA Group – May 2025
In an increasingly interconnected world, globalization is transforming occupational health and safety (OHS) in workplaces across Canada and beyond. As organizations expand across borders, so too do the challenges of maintaining consistent safety standards. However, this global shift also brings opportunities, allowing countries to collaborate, share leading practices, and improve workplace safety on an international scale. For more than 75 years, CSA Group has been at the forefront of OHS standards development, shaping policies that influence not only Canadian workplaces but also the North American and global OHS landscape.
CSA Group’s Candace Sellar explains how globalization is reshaping OHS, how CSA Group’s leadership is driving international and bi-national standardization, and how Canadian OHS professionals can engage in shaping the future of workplace safety.
How is globalization influencing OHS in Workplaces?
Canada is home to many multi-jurisdictional and multinational enterprises (MNEs) spanning diverse sectors such as manufacturing, natural resources, and professional services. As these organizations operate across jurisdictions, they significantly influence OHS in the workplace. MNEs can adopt leading OHS practices and standards from one region and implement them globally, which may enhance workplace safety worldwide.
The workforces of MNEs are also becoming increasingly varied in terms of language, religion, cultural norms, and physical characteristics. This shift compels organizations to define worker needs more precisely and understand workplace hazards in a broader context. It is crucial that OHS standards reflect the wide range of workers’ needs.
CSA Group is strategically developing standards with these factors in mind, as seen in CSA Z301:24, Equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in apprenticeship programs. This standard applies to all aspects of apprenticeship systems, including classroom learning, mentorship, and on-the-job training, supporting an inclusive approach to worker safety and development.
How have CSA Group OHS standards demonstrated thought leadership and influenced standards development on a global scale?
Canada has a strong tradition of innovation and collaboration in workplace safety, and CSA Group has played a key role in shaping OHS standards both nationally and internationally.
One major example is CSA Z1000, Occupational health and safety management, which was an important foundational document considered for ISO 45001, Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use. CSA Z1000 introduced key concepts, such as proactive risk management, systematic hazard identification, worker participation, and leadership commitment, which became core principles in ISO 45001.
Similarly, Canada was a pioneer in addressing workplace mental health. CSA Z1003-13/BNQ 9700-803/2013 Psychological health and safety in the workplace – Prevention, promotion, and guidance to staged implementation was a first-of-its-kind publication that later informed ISO 45003:2021, Occupational health and safety management – Psychological health and safety at work – Guidelines for managing psychosocial risks.
Another example is CSA B701:17, Carer-inclusive and accommodating organizations. This standard influenced the development of ISO 25551:2021, Aging societies – Guidelines for carer-inclusive organizations – addressing an increasingly critical issue as global populations age.
Given recent political pressures on trade, does it make sense to have multi-jurisdictional or binational standards?
Cohesive cross-border or international standards are as important as ever today. Organizations often extend beyond political boundaries with workplaces in more than one country or jurisdiction, and workers often move between jurisdictions as part of their jobs. To support consistency, CSA Group collaborates with American standards development organizations to align safety standards wherever possible.
For instance, CSA Z462:24, Workplace electrical safety, is based on NFPA 70E, Standard for Electrical Safety for the Workplace. The CSA standard integrates key elements from NFPA 70E while aligning with the Canadian Electrical Code, supporting consistent electrical safety measures across North America.
Additionally, CSA Group adopts numerous American National Standards from the Outdoor Power Equipment Institute (OPEI), covering hand-held outdoor power equipment such as grass or hedge trimmers, and portable cut-off machines. This harmonization helps facilitate seamless use of equipment and safety protocols throughout the continent.
How do CSA Group OHS standards help to promote regulatory harmonization within Canada?
Regulatory harmonization efforts are coordinated and championed by the Canadian Association of Administrators of Labour Legislation – Occupational Safety and Health (CAALL-OSH), which supports over 1.22 million employer businesses nationwide. To enhance consistency and efficiency, CAALL-OSH often references CSA Group standards in national policy development.
Harmonization of OHS regulations across all provinces, territories, and the federal government, including harmonized references to OHSstandards, is beneficial to all Canadians. For employers, it simplifies compliance and may reduce administrative costs. For workers, it supports consistent safety training and awareness, while regulators benefit from improved enforcement and oversight. Furthermore, harmonization can support trade by helping products and services meet uniform safety standards.
Approximately 70 per cent of CSA Group’s OHS standards are directly referenced in regulations, with 13 standards nationally harmonized across all jurisdictions, including, but not limited to the following:
- CSA Z94.1:15, Industrial protective headwear – Performance, selection, care, and use
- CSA Z94.2:14, Hearing protection devices – Performance, selection, care, and use
- CSA Z94.3:15, Eye and face protectors
- CSA Z94.4.1:21, Performance of filtering respirators
- CSA Z195:14, Protective footwear
- CSA Z1210:17, First aid training for the workplace – Curriculum and quality management for training agencies
- CSA Z1220:17, First aid kits for the workplace
What international OHS standards is CSA Group currently monitoring and contributing to?
CSA Group staff and expert volunteer members are always monitoring and contributing to the work of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) Technical Committee (TC) 283 on Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems (OHSMS).
This includes contributing to the ongoing development and revision of key standards, such as ISO 45001,
Occupational health and safety management systems – Requirements with guidance for use. Other emerging areas of focus include OHS risks related to climate change, remote work, and workplace considerations for menstruation and menopause.
Notably, Troy Winters, vice chair of CSA Group’s OHS Strategic Steering Committee and CUPE’s national health and safety co-ordinator, was appointed the role of convenor of the ISO Working Group to revise and update ISO 45001, further solidifying Canada’s leadership in OHS standardization.
How can Canadian OHS professionals engage with CSA Group or international standardization priorities for the benefit of Canadian workers, employers, and regulators?
Canadian OHS professionals can directly contribute to standards development by volunteering with CSA Group. CSA Group currently administers the Canadian OHS Mirror Committee for work being completed by ISO TC 283. The mirror committees are established, approved, and operated under the authority of the Standards Council of Canada (SCC). CSA Group works collaboratively with the SCC to help capture and articulate the knowledge and perspectives of leading Canadian experts, and to convey this critical input to the international community.
By participating in CSA Group’s committees, professionals can help advance worker safety, drive regulatory alignment, and strengthen Canada’s leadership in global OHS standards.
My opinion
The CSA Group are the go-to guys when searching for safety standards along most workplace sectors and companies like ours, HRS Group Inc., use many CSA standards, such as those for forklifts, (all classes), Elevating Work Platforms (EWP) (all types), just to name a few, to complete “Competency Training”.
In Ontario, “Competent Person” is described this way,
“‘Competent person’ means a person who,
(a) is qualified because of knowledge, training and experience to organize the work and its performance,
(b) is familiar with this Act and the regulations that apply to the work, and
(c) has knowledge of any potential or actual danger to health or safety in the workplace.”
Ensure your workplace training, whether in-house or third party, comply with the appropriate legislation.
HRS Group Inc. has a great team that can help you with all your health and safety needs. Contact Deborah toll free at 1-877-907-7744 or locally at 705-749-1259.
Ensure your workplace is a safe place.
Remember – In Ontario, “ALL Accidents are Preventable”
‘Work’ and ‘Play’ safe.
Daniel L. Beal
CHSEP – Advanced Level
CEO & Senior Trainer
HRS Group Inc.