Fit For Duty Awareness

Purpose Protecting Workers from hazards associated with impaired individuals in the workplace due to drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications.
Definition Fit for Duty Awareness is the ongoing recognition and assessment of an individual’s readiness to perform work safely. It includes the ability to identify and address hazards associated with impairment in the workplace due to drugs, alcohol, or prescription medications.
Hazards

This list of potential hazards is not comprehensive. Workers are required to complete a Hazard Assessment prior to starting this task to ensure all hazards are identified and controlled.

 Chemical:

  • Long/Short Term Health Effects due to exposure of drugs and chemicals

Physical: 

  • Sharps
  • Fire Hazards
  • Weapons

Psychosocial:

  • Violence and Harassment
Controls Administrative: 

  • Administer First Aid, if trained and safe to do so
  • Drug & Alcohol Policy
  • Training/Education on how to identify impairment
  • Reliable Communication Device
  • Identify and Utilize an Escape Route
  • Call Emergency Services
  • Contact Management
  • Social Distancing
  • Safe Disposal Programs and Services Document Attached Below
Work Site Supervisory Responsibility Do

  • Secure the work site.
  • Assess the potential severity of the situation including the well-being of the individual and others within the vicinity.
  • Determine if Management or Emergency Services is required to be called by identifying the type of impairment.
  • If 911 is to be called, remain on the line until Emergency Services arrives on scene.
  • Remove yourself from the situation if the possibility of physical harm arises.
  • Remove all other individuals from the area.

Do not

  • Allow the suspected individual to leave the area without Supervisor. Contact 911 if necessary.
  • Touch or handle any product or surface where exposure is if or was possible.
  • Allow the product to become airborne.
  • Allow work to continue, until the situation is resolved, and it is safe to resume operations.
Worker Responsibility Do

  • Follow Supervisor’s instructions.
  • Assess the potential severity of the situation including the well-being of the individual and others within the vicinity.
  • If 911 is to be called, remain on the line until Emergency Services arrives on scene.
  • Remove yourself from the situation if the possibility of physical harm arises.
  • Report any suspicious behaviour or suspected impairment to your Supervisor, Regional Safety Manager and cooperate with any ongoing investigation.

Do not

  • Interact with the suspected person(s) or any of their belongings.
  • Touch or handle any product or surface where exposure if or was possible.
  • Allow the product to become airborne.
  • Continue working until the situation is resolved and it is safe to resume operations.
  • Engage or confront individuals who appear to be impaired
 Date Created Date of Last Revision Reviewed and Accepted By
V.0 04/13/23 Phil Fileccia, Bill Laursen, Christian Ravary, Karoly Ban Matei, Sebastian Pop
V.1 10/07/25 Christian Ravary, Karissa Neilson, Moe Deishidi, Natasha Deitz

Safe Disposal Programs and Services (pdf)

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