107 - Part 1 - Fitness For Duty & Workplace Safety: An Overview With Real-World Application & Case Examples

Session Description: As Occupational Medicine professionals we can demonstrate our value to employers by providing services and strategies that help prevent workplace accidents, injuries, and reduce employer liability. Essential to this is maintaining proficiency in developing appropriate FFD protocols and conducting effective fitness for duty (FFD) evaluations. This session will provide a discussion on various types of fitness for duty (FFD) evaluations, the components of a comprehensive FFD evaluation, laws governing FFD practices, and the role of the FFD evaluator. Real case examples with strategies to avoid legal pitfalls and the framework to develop an effective fitness for duty protocol will be discussed.

Educational Gaps: Attendees will become familiar with various types of fitness for duty (FFD) evaluations, the components of a comprehensive FFD evaluation, laws governing FFD practices, and the role of the FFD evaluator. Real case examples with strategies to avoid legal pitfalls and the framework to develop a fitness for duty protocol will be discussed.

Is this session being sponsored by an ACOEM Section or Component?: No

Has this session previously been presented?: No

The AOHC 2026 theme is Healthy workers. Healthy world: Maintaining appropriate fitness for duty standards is essential to the safety and health of workers. Healthy workers who are fit for duty are less likely to make errors or have accidents and therefore help ensure safety in the workplace. This translates to a safe and healthy world, since all aspects of society are impacted by worker.