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How can I Prevent Drug and Alcohol Use in my Workplace?

About Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace

For some years now, awareness has been growing, not only that drug and alcohol abuse is an important workplace problem, but that the workplace is an excellent avenue for the development of broad partnerships for preventive action.

The use of drugs and alcohol, even if consumed outside the workplace, can lead to employee impairment while at work. Fairly low levels of consumption are detrimental to performance, quality and safety. Consumption of drugs and alcohol can lead to poor concentration, carelessness, risk-taking behaviour and errors in judgement which result in higher rates of injuries, fatalities and absenteeism as well as reduced productivity.

Over recent years, studies have shown that:

• Absenteeism is two to three times higher for drug and alcohol users than for other employees;
• Employees with chemical dependence problems may claim three times as many sickness benefits and file five times as many workers' compensation claims;
• In many workplaces, 20 to 25 per cent of accidents at work involve intoxicated people injuring themselves and innocent victims;
• On-the-job supplies of drugs and alcohol account for 15 to 30 per cent of all accidents at work.

According to a study carried out in 1990, when airline pilots had to perform routine tasks in a simulator under three alcohol test conditions, it was found that:

• Before the ingestion of any alcohol, 10 per cent of them could not perform all the operations correctly;
• After reaching a blood alcohol concentration of 0.10/100ml, 89 per cent could not perform all the operations correctly; and
• Fourteen hours later, after all the alcohol had left their systems, 68 per cent could not perform all the operations correctly
.

What can I do to Prevent Drugs and Alcohol in the Workplace?

It is VERY important that any policies and procedures have the commitment of employees in the workplace, we recommend that employees are fully consulted and have the opportunity to be involved in the development of policies and procedures. Many businesses go for a staged approach.

Jump Business Solutions recommends that employers:

• Have in place clear policy against drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace that is aimed at prevention, education, training and rehabilitation;
• Clearly identify who is responsible for monitoring the implementation of the policy, dealing with intoxicated employees and evaluating the policy;
• Ensure that all parties are trained and educated on their rights and responsibilities;
• Clearly specify the type of tests used, accuracy of the tests, the testing procedure, right of refusal and legal rights;
• Ensure the confidentiality of personal information;
• Demonstrate, not only by policy, but also example, that drug and alcohol abuse in the workplace is neither appropriate, nor tolerated.

Get in Touch with Jump

If you need help, or you answered no or unsure to any of the questions in the assessment tool, then Jump Business Solutions can help you. Phone us on +64 6 754 8987 or +64 27 450 5271 or email info@jump4biz.com and Jump will come to you, discover your needs, and develop a solution that will create real, long-term and positive change for you and your business.