Psychological safety, cannabis legalization and upcoming legislative changes on workplace violence and harassment will be hot topics at WorkSafeNB’s annual Health and Safety Conference.
The event, which runs October 3-5 at the Fredericton Convention Centre, offers 26 sessions addressing workplace health and safety issues and trends. Among the highlights is a plenary session with Michael Landsberg, Canadian journalist and former host of TSN’s Off the Record.
Landsberg will offer a keynote on depression and mental health, an emerging workplace concern. He’ll share the story of his own battle with mental illness as well as stories of some of the world’s most recognizable sports figures.
Workplace impairment will also be front and centre, as employers consider possible effects of recreational cannabis legalization. Conference attendees can benefit by learning how to prevent and manage workplace impairment – whether caused by drugs, alcohol or fatigue.
Nadine Wentzell, a workplace drug and alcohol consultant based in Halifax, will deliver a keynote address, Dealing with Reality: Cannabis and Other Substances of Abuse at Work – What is an Employer to Do? The presentation will address employer rights and responsibilities, handling situations of use and testing considerations.
It will be followed by a workplace drug and alcohol policy development session that dives deep into practical application. Employers and safety professionals can get first-hand advice for their particular organization.
Another concern among New Brunswick employers is changes to the Occupational Health and Safety Act affecting workplace violence and harassment, which go into effect in April 2019.
WorkSafeNB will gather its own experts as well as those from the Employment Standards Branch and the New Brunswick Human Rights Commission for a panel discussion followed by a Q&A.
You can view the full program and register online at worksafenb.ca.
Registration closes September 28.