Emerging Safety Issues Addressing Addiction in the Workplace
- Slides: 14
Emerging Safety Issues: Addressing Addiction in the Workplace A Monster Hiding in the Shadows
Substance Abuse 47, 000 Canadian deaths are linked to substance abuse annually Every 7 hours, there is a death related to substance abuse… 1 in 4 deaths are due to the effects of drug addiction © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017
Substance Abuse Alcohol average lifespan: 58 20 years less than the general population © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017 years 60 years
Most Used Drugs in Canada: • Marijuana • Prescription Opioids Ø Fentanyl - Duragesic Ø Oxycodone - Percocet Ø Hydromorphone - Dilaudid Ø Hydrocodone – Tussionex Ø Morphine – MS Contin Ø Codeine – Tylenol #4 • Cocaine • Amphetamine & Methamphetamine • Heroin © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017
Opioids © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017 Natural (Opiates ) Opium Morphine Codeine Synthetic Hydrocodone Oxycodone Fentanyl Hydromorphone Merperidine
Canada’s Prescription Opioid Epidemic As of 2013, the number of pharmaceutical related deaths in BC far exceeded the number of deaths from MVAs involving alcohol. © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017
Who is Responsible? Regulators Health Care Providers © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017 Employers/ Employees
Employer: Human Rights Legislation Duty to Accommodate © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017
Human Rights Legislation: Substance Abuse © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017
Responsibility of Employer: Legislation Occupational Westray Bill C-45 = Criminal Code 271. 1 Employers Ø Duty for organizations and their representatives to take every precaution to protect their workers as well as general public Liable for negligent actions of employees © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017 Health & Safety Act Responsible for health, safety and welfare of employees Required to minimize or eliminate all safety risks
Responsibility of Employee: Legislation Occupational Health & Safety Act Employees Ø Fitness for duty Ø Responsibility for own and co-workers safety Ø Application of training Ø Cooperation with employer © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017
Responsibility of Employee: Medication Use Ø Prescribed or as directed by manufacturer (OTC) Employee Ø Used for intended purpose within appropriate dose range Ø Responsibility to ask re: safety concerns Ø Report safety concerns to supervisor Ø Consequence for not reporting © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017
Taking Action on Employer Responsibility Problems © Nadine Wentzell Consulting Inc 2017 Responsibility Solutions
Nadine Wentzell BSc(Pharm) MAd. Ed Workplace Drug & Alcohol Consultant Fostering Safe Workplaces & Healthy People 602 -331 Lacewood Drive Halifax, NS B 3 S 1 K 6 902. 444. 3636 (office) 902. 209. 3701 (cell) nlwentzell@eastlink. ca www. Nadine. Wentzell. com