One day virtual event in October promises to examine new and emerging issues in worker health and fitness
The 8th annual Fitness for Duty Summit, hosted by DriverCheck is a one day virtual event at the end of October that promises to gather a diverse group of professionals—ranging from HR and labour relations specialists to union representatives, legal experts, occupational health nurses, and managers—to examine current and emerging issues in worker fitness and workplace safety.
Dr. Jonathan Davids, chief medical officer at DriverCheck, explains the summit “invites stakeholders in industry to attend, where we host an educational day on anything that pertains to workers’ fitness to work.” This year’s agenda includes updates on drug and alcohol testing, as well as sessions on occupational health risks such as exposure to silica, asbestos, lead, and mercury. New topics for 2025 include fatigue management and mental health, reflecting the evolving challenges faced by Canadian workplaces.
A highlight of the summit is the “Real Cases, Real Solutions” session, where attendees examine recent workplace scenarios and the strategies used to resolve them. Dr. Davids notes, “we have updates to drug testing and, more specifically, substance abuse in the workplace and how to manage that, not from a punitive perspective, but more from a support-your-employees-and-help-them-get-back-to-work perspective.”
He clarifies the summit does not promote a punitive approach to workplace safety. “Employers were really focused on making the workplace safe at all costs, ensuring people got drug or alcohol tested at the appropriate times,” he says. “But we’re reminding everyone that it’s more than just testing for safety—you might uncover an underlying medical condition. In the case of drug and alcohol testing, you might uncover substance misuse that’s in your best interest to rehabilitate, not just remove from the workplace.” Dr. Davids uses a practical analogy: “If you see a piece of equipment malfunctioning, you don’t just toss it out. You repair it and bring it back. That’s no different with people.”
The summit also explores the importance of medical surveillance for workers exposed to hazards. Dr. Davids urges employers to go beyond regulatory compliance. “The whole idea is trying to make your workplace safe, avoid health consequences, workers’ compensation claims, and any sort of financial or legal consequences down the road for failing to protect your workers,” he says.
The Fitness for Duty Summit stands as a forum for actionable insights, peer learning, and a renewed focus on holistic employee support. Health and safety leaders attending can expect to gain new strategies and perspectives for protecting and empowering their workforce.
