Fitness for Duty Summit 2018

August 2, 2018 [AYR, ON] – More than ever, Canadian employers are faced with the challenge of trying to ensure the safety of the workplace, their employees, co-workers, the general public and the environment. Many questions and concerns loom for employers on a variety of topics including the pending legalization of cannabis for adult use scheduled for October 17 and no defined test for impairment, the significant growth of medicinal cannabis authorizations exceeding 300,000 patients, the opioid epidemic that has taken Canada by storm and mental health being the #1 cause of disability and the stigma associated with mental illness.

Given these ongoing challenges and the goal of being Canada’s fitness for duty experts, DriverCheck Inc. is ecstatic to announce the first annual Fitness for Duty Summit being held on Oct. 3 and 4 in Milton, ON. The objective is to provide valuable information and resources to employers so that they can put actionable items in place to achieve and ensure safety in the workplace.

What is Fitness for Duty?

Fitness for duty programs differ from company to company, but typically includes a type of medical examination(s) of a current employee/candidate to determine whether the employee/candidate is physically or psychologically able to perform the job. It is through these medical tests and assessments that an opinion is formed to determine if the employee/candidate may have a condition that could prevent them from performing the job's essential functions, or inability to perform it safely.

Work safe for the moments that matter.

During this two day seminar, industry experts from a range of sectors will cover topics that impact safety-sensitive occupations in the workplace, both physical and mental. Discussions and presentations will include cannabis (adult recreational use and medicinal), the opioid epidemic, occupational health, mental health and the power of focused thinking (mindfulness).

Fitness for Duty Summit Agenda

On day one, a focus will be on the impact of drugs in the workplace, including discussions on the pending legalization of cannabis in October and medicinal cannabis considerations, duty to accommodate and legal considerations. Presenters will include:

Agenda: Day 1 – Cannabis Challenges and Considerations (Oct. 3, 2018)

7:45am – 8:30am: Registration and Networking

8:30am – 8:45am: Welcome!

Stay Safe: A Personal Story

Dianne Holmes, DriverCheck Inc.

8:45am – 9:45am: The Quest for an Impairment Test

Connor Page, DriverCheck Inc.

9:45am – 10:45am: Facing the Challenge of Cannabis in the Workplace

Barbara Butler, Barbara Butler & Associates Inc. Management Consultants

10:45am – 11:00am: Break

11:00am – 12:00pm: Fitness for Duty: TTC’s Journey to Drug and Alcohol Testing

Peter Bartz, Toronto Transit Commission (TTC)

12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch and Raffle Prizes

1:00pm – 2:00pm: Managing Cannabis in the Workplace

Jason Fleming, MedReleaf

2:00pm – 3:00pm: Canadian Cannabis Craze

Dr. Melissa Snider-Adler, Chief Medical Review Officer, DriverCheck Inc.

3:00pm – 3:15pm: Break

3:15pm – 4:15pm: Panel Discussion

Moderated by Dr. Jonathan Davids, DriverCheck Inc.

4:15pm – 4:30pm: Closing Remarks

Day two will focus on one’s health, body and mind. In practice, there is room for improvement for everyone, and we will dig deeper in to both the physical and psychologic side when developing a fitness for duty program for the workplace.

Agenda: Day 2 – Physical and Psychological Considerations in the Workplace (Oct. 4, 2018)

7:45am – 8:30am: Registration and Networking

8:30am – 8:45am: Welcome!

8:45am – 9:45am: Focus on Safety with Mindfulness

Trish Tutton, Speaker, Yoga & Meditation Teacher

9:45am – 10:45am: Occupational Health Considerations

Dr. Jonathan Davids, DriverCheck Inc.

10:45am – 11:00am: Break

11:00am – 12:00pm: Opioid Use & Workplace Safety

Dr. Iris Greenwald, Medical Review Officer, DriverCheck Inc.

12:00pm – 1:00pm: Lunch

1:00pm – 2:00pm: The Role of the Occupational Health Nurse in Managing Mental Health Claims

Drew Sousa and Amy Connell – OOHNA

2:00pm – 3:00pm: Addressing THE Epidemic: The True Costs of Mental Health/Addictions

Issues in the Workplace and What's Being Done About It

Paul Radkowski - Life Recovery Program

3:00pm – 3:15pm: Break

3:15pm – 4:15pm: Panel Discussion

Moderated by Paul Gardiner

4:15pm – 4:30pm: Event Wrap Up – Thank you to everyone for attending!

Space is limited, so tickets will be approved on a first come, first serve basis.

Register soon as our recent events have sold out!

The price of registration is $420 plus applicable taxes.