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CCOHS introduces educational courses that address opioid use in the workplace

To address growing concerns of opioid use in the workplace, the Canadian Centre for Occupational Health and Safety has announced two online courses – one aimed at employers and the other at employees.

Opioids: What employers need to know introduces employers to the impacts of opioid use in the workplace. Employers and supervisors will learn about their specific duties, the importance of addressing substance use through a policy, and the steps they should take when possible impairment is observed. The course will also share how to assess and respond to concerns without judgment, stigmatizing language or behaviours.

Opioids: What workers need to know introduces employees to the impacts of opioid use in the workplace. The course will help workers learn about these impacts and steps to follow to understand opioid use, reduce stigma, and provide appropriate support in the workplace.

Both courses are available on the CCOHS website in English and French.

The average time to complete the courses is about 45 minutes. CCOHS courses are unique in that they are developed by subject specialists in the field, and reviewed by representatives from labour, employers, and government to ensure the content and approach are unbiased and credible.