Toronto, ON, January 17^th, 2023 – First responders are at high risk of experiencing fatigue. Managing responder fatigue and mitigating its associated health and safety risks are essential to protect first responders and public health and safety.CSA Group has published a first-of-its-kind National Standard of Canada to help address this issue – CSA Z1615:22, First responder fatigue risk management system.

This new evidence-informed standard sets out requirements and provides guidance to support first responder organizations to mitigate the risk of harm if fatigue is present. The standard identifies hazards, and how to assess and control risks. The standard and its requirements were developed to be applied to any type of risk related to fatigue and can be applied to both sleep-related and task-related fatigue. “We know that first responders are at high risk of suffering the effects of fatigue which can not only impact their own personal health and safety but also that of their co-workers and the public they serve,” says Kay Penn, Director, Standards, Health and Safety, CSA Group.

We are very pleased to announce the publication of CSA Z1615, First Responder Fatigue Risk Management, which is aimed at improving first responder health and wellness by reducing the exposure to fatigue-related risks using a strategic and coordinated approach.”

Development of CSA Z1615 was informed by a multi-year research and development project led by the Canadian Institute for Safety, Wellness & Performance (CISWP), with funding from Defense Research and Development Canada (DRDC).

“Research across policing, firefighting, and paramedic/emergency medical services (EMS) indicates that burnout, cognitive fatigue, and physical fatigue were associated with adverse health and performance effects,” says Dr. Amin Yazdani, CISWP and Chair of the Technical Subcommittee developing the standard. “However, there were many differences between occupations that need to be accounted for, highlighting the importance of managing fatigue as a multi-dimensional and multi-faceted factor leading to short and longer-term health and performance outcomes.”

Development of CSA Z1615 built on the expertise and experience of various stakeholders including the Paramedic Association of Canada (PAC), Paramedic Chiefs of Canada (PCC), the County of Renfrew Paramedic Service, and all members of the diverse, multi-stakeholder technical subcommittee responsible for the development of the standard.

“The new National Standard of Canada on First Responder Workplace Fatigue Risk Management will be used across Canada to help improve first responder health and wellness, says Chief Poirier, Ottawa Paramedic Service.”

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Kim Gibson
CSA Group
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About CSA Group
CSA Group is a global organization dedicated to safety, social good and sustainability. We are a leader in North American standards development and in product testing, inspection and certification around the world. Our mandate is to hold the future to a higher standard.