Part A: Opioid and substance misuse in the Building Trades: A strategy to deal with an epidemic.

Speaker: Carmine Tiano, MA, Director of Occupational Services, Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario

Carmine covers factors in the construction industry that make its workers vulnerable to substance abuse and addiction. Workers usually work contract on different sites, sometimes for short periods of time, and are always adjusting to new work sites and conditions. Work can be dependent on weather and project progress. He explains how accepted accident stats are skewed and don't show the whole story, and how the compensation landscape does not adequately support injured workers.

Part B: Opioid-harms among Ontario Workers, what we know and are striving to learn.

Speaker: Dr. Nancy Carnide, PhD, Associate Scientist, Institute for Work & Health

Dr. Carnide discusses the statistics for OPIOID harms among Ontario workers. Opioid uses has increased since the Covid pandemic, and males are most effected. In Ontario, there are not adequate statistics gathered or surveillance systems to monitor substance abuse in workplace — BC has better records. In that province, construction, transportation and warehousing are the topic fields where opioid abuse and fatalities occur.  44% of those who died from overdose were employed at the time of their death. Get factual information about the real numbers from this webinar.

Part C: Re-examining management of substance use impairment in workplaces – Moving the “dial” from zero tolerance to harm reduction and support.

Speaker: Kathy Martin, Coordinator, Research, Stakeholder & Public Relations, Mental Health and Wellness Specialist, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association.

In this webinar Kathy Martin makes the case for re-examing management of substance use impairment in workplaces. A mindshift is slowly taking place to reduce the stigma and discrimination towards those with addiction problems. Supporting mental health and addiction needs is the goal. Reducing risks of injuries and repetitive strains and recognizing safe work as a shared responsibility between employers and workers can reduce illness, emotional stress and injury causing chronic pain. Listen to this webinar to get insight into the "total worker health" strategy when it comes to substance abuse.

Mayday 2024 4B Pain/Management role in Opioid Harm Reduction Program

Speaker: Kathy Martin, Coordinator, Research, Stakeholder & Public Relations, Mental Health and Wellness Specialist, Infrastructure Health and Safety Association.

Did you know the WHO recognizes chronic pain as a disease of it’s own? However, many people still believe in the “suck it up” approach, relying upon self-treatment or self-medication, which we know is problematic, -- in particular if illicit drugs like opioids are involved. Chronic pain can be difficult to control and some days can be better than others. Good pain management supports at the workplace help workers manage their situation to not just function at work, but to also avoid the all too common trap of seeking illicit market opioids to “cope”. Learn how opioids, chronic pain and pain management intersect when addressing opioid related harms and workplace accommodations.