Webinars

Most information on the workplace impacts of substance use focus on impairment - with cannabis usually at the top of the list. This isn't particularly practical or effective, especially with the effects of chronic use. As a licensed pharmacist for over 30 years, I have difficulty identifying drug impairment, as do the seasoned Occupational Medicine specialists with whom I have spoken; how then is a minimally trained supervisor expected to do so?! Rather than focusing on impairment, let's shift to identifying behaviour that poses a safety risk.

Cannabis is unlike any other drug we have known; its immediate and long-term effects on our brain and our ability to function safely are poorly understood by most. How we educate our employees and train our supervisors, the tools we give them, and the approach we take will determine our success in keeping our workplaces drug and alcohol free. This session will focus on proven and practical methods to guide supervisors in taking confident and effective action in this critical area.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Identify the difference between impairment and safety risk
• Be familiar with several practical tools to identify safety risks related to cannabis and other substances of abuse
• Understand how to co-opt employees to take action under the IRS requirement implicit in all OHS legislation

Format: Interactive

Classification: Intermediate

Chemicals are used in 96 percent of manufactured materials and products; yet these same chemicals can be the cause of occupational disease. WHMIS was developed to help companies manage this conundrum. But our focus on WHMIS compliance activities such as updating data sheets means chemical safety is usually ignored.

This webinar looks at some common myths surrounding WHMIS and how they prevent us from making good use of this valuable tool. It shows what a true Management System focused on chemical safety would look like. Data from a variety of organizations is used in describing the Management System, showing examples of the results achieved for each step of the process. Finally, a case study is used to provide a comprehensive overview of what can be accomplished if we viewed WHMIS as the foundation of chemical safety not just an exercise in document management.

At the end of this session, participants will be able to:

• Understand the gaps in your current practices around WHMIS
• Explain how an alternate process that builds on existing activities can improve chemical safety
• Observe the results of an organization that followed the process and improved chemical safety

Format: Lecture

Classification: All audiences