Safety-Sensitive or Not? A Functional Approach to Workplace Risk

Webinar Overview

"Safety-sensitive" has become one of the most frequently used - and frequently misapplied - terms in workplace risk conversations. While the intention is often sound, a broad or inconsistent application of the label can make it harder to identify genuine risk, apply appropriate levels of assessment, and provide meaningful support to the individuals involved.

This live Q&A takes a closer look at how safety-sensitive roles are currently being defined, where those definitions begin to break down in practice, and why the stakes are especially high when substance use enters the conversation.

Rather than prescribing a rigid framework, Alexandra and Dr. Haji will explore a practical, functional approach to slowing the decision-making process down — one grounded in real-world context, timing, and function. Come with your questions. This is a conversation, not a lecture.

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Key Takeaways

By the end of this session, you will:

1. Understand how safety-sensitive roles are commonly defined — and where those definitions fall short
2. Recognize how substance use complicates risk assessment within these roles
3. Learn a simple, practical framework for thinking about risk beyond labels
4. Feel more confident distinguishing between different levels of concern in safety-sensitive contexts
5. Apply a more intentional approach to triage, assessment, and support decisions

Who Should Attend?

This session is designed for professionals who work at the intersection of health, risk, and return to work, including:

• Case managers and disability adjudicators
• Employers, HR professionals, and organizational leadership
• Occupational health clinicians
• Return-to-work specialists
• Those working with healthcare professionals, first responders, transportation and aviation workers, education systems, and safety-critical environments

This session will be particularly valuable if you find that "safety-sensitive" is being applied broadly but not always clearly, you're unsure how to interpret substance use within these roles, or you're looking for a more practical, defensible approach to complex real-world situations.

Your Speakers

Alexandra Perry - National Director of Substance Use Policy and Programs, SOMA Medical Assessments

Dr. Rahim Haji - Addiction Medicine Physician and Associate Professor