Health and Safety ReportVolume 24, Issue 01

Impairment in the workplace is much broader and more common than many employers realize. Fatigue, stress, medical conditions, prescription medications, and personal or organizational pressures can all affect a worker’s ability to perform their job safely. 

Impairment refers to any hazard that can affect judgment, reaction time, concentration, coordination, and decision-making. These changes may be subtle, temporary, or irregular, but their impact can be serious. For employers, addressing impairment is part of due diligence and an essential element of keeping everyone in the workplace safe. 

How stigma creates silence 

A challenge with impairment is that it does not have a single cause. Substance use is one possible source, but impairment can also result from lack of sleep, long or irregular shifts, high workload, exposure to extreme heat or cold, mental health challenges, life or work stress, or the side effects from prescribed medications. In many cases, workers may not realize their ability to work safely has changed, or they may be reluctant to speak up about feeling impaired because of stigma or the fear of potential consequences. 

Reducing this stigma is where workplace culture matters. If workers believe that impairment will automatically lead to discipline, job loss, or judgment, they are less likely to report concerns or ask for help. That silence can increase risk. A safer approach is one that focuses on fitness for work rather than fault, and on support rather than assumptions. The goal is not to diagnose or label, but to recognize when someone may not be able to work safely and to respond in a fair, respectful, and consistent way. 

What the law says 

Occupational health and safety legislation requires employers to take reasonable precautions to protect workers and others. This duty includes preventing work from being performed when impairment could create a hazard. At the same time, human rights laws recognize substance dependence and certain medical conditions as disabilities, triggering a duty to accommodate to the point of undue hardship. These dual responsibilities require employers to balance safety with compassion, privacy, and individual circumstances. Clear policies and procedures help make that balance possible.  

Set expectations with policies and training 

A well-designed impairment policy outlines what impairment means for the organization, how concerns should be raised, and how the employer will respond. It also reinforces confidentiality, describes available supports, and clarifies when accommodation may be required. The policy needs to address impairment from all sources, not just alcohol or drugs. 

Thorough training is key. Supervisors and workers need to understand what impairment can look like, how it can affect safety, and what their responsibilities are if they notice a concern. Changes in behaviour, attendance, performance, or physical appearance can be signs that someone is struggling, but they are not proof of substance use. Many different factors can produce similar effects. The appropriate response is to focus on observed behaviours and safety risks, not on speculation about causes. 

Addressing impairment 

When impairment is suspected, employers should act promptly and calmly. Conversations should take place in private, be based on facts, and emphasize concern for safety and well-being. In some cases, a worker may need to stop work temporarily or be reassigned while the situation is assessed. In others, accommodation or access to supports such as an employee assistance program or local services may be appropriate. Documentation and consistency are key to ensuring fairness and accountability. 

Focus on prevention 

Prevention plays a major role in reducing impairment. Workplaces that manage fatigue, set realistic workloads, address psychosocial hazards, and foster respectful, inclusive cultures reduce the likelihood of impairment affecting safety in the first place. When workers feel supported and respected, they are more likely to speak up before a situation becomes a crisis. 

Impairment is a complex issue but ignoring it does not make it go away. By treating impairment as a shared health and safety responsibility and responding with clarity, empathy, and structure, employers can protect workers while reinforcing a culture of trust and care. 

Resources 

• Impairment at Work, CCOHS
• Fatigue, CCOHS
• Workplace Strategies: Managing Impairment handbook, CCOHS
• Ease the burden of substance use and addiction toolkit, Government of Canada
• Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction 

CCOHS and the Indigenous Centre for Occupational Health and Public Safety have signed a memorandum of understanding to advance workplace health and safety in Indigenous communities in Canada. 

The partnership will focus on developing safety programs, building relationships and partnerships with government and industry leaders, and holding ongoing discussions about occupational health and safety practices for these communities. 

By joining forces, both organizations aim to improve the well-being of everyone involved. Learn more. 

Fresh for 2026, our podcast has a new name, new look, and a new platform you can engage with us on. 

In addition to downloading episodes wherever you get your podcasts, video versions are now available in French and English on our YouTube channels. Got a topic you would like us to explore? Email us at podcast@ccohs.ca. 

Featured podcast: Sit, Stand, Stretch: Preventing Repetitive Strain Injuries at Work 

Whether work involves prolonged sitting or standing, reducing repetitive strain injuries starts with identifying the hazards and risk factors and improving job design. Here’s where workplaces can start. 

Listen to the podcast now. 

Encore podcast: Don't Rush into Winter Driving  

Harsh winter conditions can appear out of nowhere. When they do, many drivers may get caught off-guard. No matter how many winters you’ve driven through, it’s always a good idea to take some time to prepare before heading out into the elements.  

Listen to the podcast now. 

See the complete list of podcast topics or, better yet, subscribe to the series on YouTube, iTunes or Spotify and don't miss a single episode. 

Managing hazardous products just got easier for small and medium-sized businesses.

CANManage Basic helps workplaces with less than 50 hazardous products organize and share their safety data sheets to meet their WHMIS requirements.

Key features include:

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Quickly organize, share and keep your collection up to date. Subscribe to CANManage Basic.

Have more than 50 hazardous products in your collection? Learn about our custom CANManage solution.

There’s still time to apply for the Dick Martin Scholarship, but hurry! If you’re a student enrolled in an occupational health and safety course or program at an accredited Canadian college or university, this opportunity could be for you.

Two scholarships worth $3,000 each will be awarded. To apply, you must complete an online application, submit a cover letter outlining your career aspirations, and write an essay on an occupational health and safety focused topic. 

Applications are due by January 31, 2026. For full details, visit: www.ccohs.ca/scholarships/dmartin. 

Explore the changing world of work at CCOHS Forum, taking place on October 28-29, 2026, in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Registration is now open!  

This two-day national event will inspire you to take action on improving workplace health and safety. Join leaders, changemakers, and experts representing government, labour and workplaces to understand the impacts of the changing world of work on worker health and safety. 

Take advantage of the early bird rate to save $100. Space is limited. Register early – our last Forum sold out: www.ccohs.ca/products/events/forum26. 

Every workplace has hazards. While many have minor impact, some can lead to severe injury, damage, and loss.

Our new and updated posters and infographics can help raise awareness about managing and reporting workplace hazards in your workplace.

Hazard Control – Share this infographic that shows how a hazard management program, applying the hierarchy of controls, and monitoring efforts to reduce risk can help keep workers safe.

Prevent Slips, Trips and Falls – Share this infographic that outlines common causes and how selecting proper footwear and practising good housekeeping can help prevent injuries.

See a Hazard? Report it! – Display this poster to remind workers that reporting a hazard or near-miss today helps prevent an injury tomorrow.

Visit our website for more posters and infographics.

Did you know? Our posters are available to download and print in a variety of sizes. Need a poster in a different size or want to add your company logo? Customization options are available. Contact us for details.