Final answer:
Providing a work environment that is physically and psychologically safe involves creating conditions that prevent injuries and protect mental health, as required by OSHA and OHSA, which includes hazard elimination and maintaining a violence-free workplace.
Step-by-step explanation:
The term being defined in the question refers to the requirement of employers to create a workplace that is not only physically safe to prevent injuries but also promotes psychological safety to protect the mental health of employees. Organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) mandate that employers must provide a safe environment for their workers. This not only covers physical safety through the elimination of serious hazards and adherence to safety standards but also includes ensuring that there are no threats to the workers' psychological well-being. This might involve providing information and training about workplace hazards, particularly chemical ones, and establishing protocols to reduce psychological harm, such as making mental health staff available to employees.
The Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) further underscores the importance of workplace safety by protecting workers from health and safety hazards on the job, including the right to be informed about any risks. Employers are responsible for correcting safety and health issues and are encouraged to implement changes in working conditions over personal protective equipment. Lastly, OSHA describes workplace violence as any act that disrupts the workplace or presents a threat to employees, highlighting the range of behaviors that must be addressed to maintain a secure environment.