Workplace Safety, Fitness for Duty, Supervisor & Leadership Training, Drug & Alcohol Awareness, and Compliance Training

Reasonable Cause Supervisor Training (Virtual Instructor-Led Training)

Course by: ShiftOHS

SKU: 11445

Description

Supervisors are often the first to recognize when a worker may not be Fit for Duty—and how they respond can have a significant impact on safety, people, and organizational risk. Shift OHS’ Virtual Instructor-Led Reasonable Cause Supervisor Training provides supervisors with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to manage these situations appropriately and in line with legal and workplace requirements.

Delivered live by an experienced instructor, this interactive five-hour course combines expert guidance, real-world examples, group discussion, and scenario-based learning. Participants gain a clear understanding of supervisory responsibilities under Human Rights, privacy, and occupational health and safety legislation, and how these obligations inform Fit for Duty policies, procedures, and investigations.

The course builds strong awareness across alcohol, cannabis, drugs, and medications, while reinforcing that Fitness for Duty extends beyond substances to include factors such as fatigue, mental health, and physical health. Supervisors learn how to conduct Fitness for Duty assessments, recognize observable indicators that may signal a worker is not safe to work, and take appropriate action in both Post-Incident and Reasonable Cause situations.

Live group activities allow participants to work through scenarios together, practice appropriate language, and learn from shared experiences. The course also provides insight into how refusals and positive test results are typically managed within an organization, helping supervisors understand their role within a broader HR and safety framework.

This Virtual Instructor-Led training meets and exceeds the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Supervisor Training requirements and the Canadian Model for Providing a Safe Workplace. It is delivered over five hours, including two 15-minute breaks, and is offered on scheduled dates throughout the year.

Participants leave with practical skills, increased confidence, and a clearer understanding of how to make fair, consistent, and defensible decisions that protect workers, supervisors, and organizations.

Course Outline

Introduction: Meet Shift OHS

  • Welcome and course overview

  • Introduction to instructor / Shift OHS and our approach to Fitness for Duty

  • Why this training matters for supervisors and organizations

  • Group warm-up activity to begin thinking like a Fit for Duty leader


Supervisory Legal Responsibilities

  • Supervisor roles and responsibilities

  • Human Rights, privacy, and occupational health & safety considerations

  • How legislation informs Fit for Duty policies, procedures, and investigations

  • Making defensible decisions


Alcohol Awareness

  • How alcohol is absorbed and eliminated by the body

  • Effects on safety and job performance

  • Managing alcohol use in safety-sensitive workplaces

  • Industry standards, best-practice expectations, and policy recommendations


Cannabis Awareness

  • Cannabis products and legalization considerations

  • How cannabis affects the body and performance

  • Impairment differences based on method of use

  • Drug testing considerations and policy implications

  • Industry standards and policy recommendations

Drug and Medication Awareness

  • Common workplace drugs and substances

  • Prescription and over-the-counter medication considerations

  • Managing disclosures and restrictions

  • Overview of the medical clearance process and documentation


Fitness for Duty Assessments

  • Understanding Fitness for Duty beyond substances

  • Observable indicators related to behaviour, speech, movement, appearance, and smell

  • Conducting fair and consistent assessments

  • Documenting observations


Post-Incident Protocols

  • Evaluating Fitness for Duty following an incident

  • Supervisor responsibilities during post-incident investigations

  • Group review of a post-incident decision-making tool

  • Aligning actions with policy and procedure


Reasonable Cause Protocols

  • When Reasonable Cause may exist

  • The Reasonable Cause investigation process

  • How to approach and communicate with workers

  • Observation and documentation best practices


Managing Refusals and Positive Test Results

  • Supervisor responsibilities during refusals

  • Overview of next steps following positive results

  • Insight into HR processes and substance abuse assessments

  • Human Rights considerations and return-to-work pathways


Course Completion

  • Review of key concepts

  • Participant questions and discussion

  • Training certification issued


Course Details
Language:
English
Certification:
Yes
Digital Badge:
Yes
Requirements
This course requires email to be filled