SAFETY BLOG

Employee Substance Abuse

October is drug-free workplace month.  Substance abuse among employees can greatly decrease workplace safety and drastically increase costs for their employers.  This safety huddle will outline the dangers of substances in the workplace, the basic elements of a successful drug-free workplace program, and helpfull lifelines for employees in need.

Statistics

When we hear the term "substances" we must realize that this is not exclusive to illegal drugs, but rather to any legal or illegal substances that are prohibited in the workplace.  Employees must read their employers substance abuse policy and be familiar with the substances and levels of those substances that are prohibited.  The bottom line; substance abuse is extremely dangerous and costly in the workplace.

• Substance abusers are 5 times more likely to have an accident in the workplace.
• Their accidents are 150% more severe than the normal employee.
• not only are they more likely to injure you at work, but they are more likely to maim or kill you
• Substance abusers have 5 times more worker compensation claims that the non-abuser.
• Abusers use 300-400% more of their employee health benefits for themselves and their dependents.

 Program Basics

A successful drug-free workplace program will prohibit the use of illegal substances and the abuse of legal substances.  A common complaint among anti-program employees is "what I do in my free time is none of the company's business".  We do agree that an employee's personal time is their own, but when they arrive to work and the substances that they have been abusing are still in their systems affecting their physical and mental abilities, thus decreasing safety to themselves an others, then it becomes everyones business.  The following are the basic components of a successful drug-free workplace program:

• A program will never succeed without supportive and committed leadership within a company.
• A thorough written policy that is signed by all employees is the foundation for a successful program.
• Must state company view on substance abuse in the workplace
• Must list all substances tested for
• Must list the blood alcohol composition (BAC) that will put an employee in violation of the policy
• Must list the different criteria that warrant drug testing in the workplace
• Must state the consequences of violating the policy
• Employee education and training
• Covers the structure of company's program
• Discusses the dangers and health effects of substances
• Discusses socio-economic effects of substance abuse
• Drug testing
• A good written policy is worthless without the enforcement of actual drug testing
• Potential criteria for drug testing:
• Pre-employment testing
• Post-accident testing
• Return-to-duty testing
• Random Testing
• Reasonable suspicion testing
• Help resources for employees in need (non-mandatory)
• Does the company offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)?
• Lists of potential counselors and treatment centers within the community?
• Management support within company for employees voluntarily seeking help.
• Job protection
• Follow-up support services for post-treatment employees.

Generally, the employees who have a problem with drug testing in the workplace are the employees who have something to hide.  Every employee has the right to go home safe at the end of the day.  Substance abusers greatly decrease your chances of making it home in one piece.

Be safe out there!