Is Workplace Alcohol & Drug Misuse getting better?

Being invited to a round table discussion with the ‘Working Well Together‘ team and the HSE (Health and Safety Executive), one of the members asked for information on Alcohol and Drug testing in the workplace. The problem this individual manager had weren’t discussed, but I can only assume the company is suffering from lost productivity or drug and alcohol dependent workers.

My thoughts quickly went to an old article I wrote which included 2014 statistics from the Research by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). I wondered how much had changed regarding working days lost, hidden costs to businesses and the impact on the worker’s families since the CIPD statistics back in 2014.

2014 statistics compared to last year

In 2014 the research by the CIPD highlighted that drugs and alcohol are contributing factors in 26% of workplace accidents, costing the UK more than £4bn a year.

And in 2018, the  UKAT (UK Addiction Treatment) revealed updated statistics; 40% of industrial accidents are linked to substance abuse and the cost has escalated to a combined value of £36bn.

You will have your own opinions on why the huge increase in a short period of time… But nevertheless, drug & alcohol misuse in the workplace needs to be tackled.

Legal Overview

As detailed by the HSE all employers have a legal duty to protect employees’ health, safety and welfare. The HSE statement extends out to ‘understanding the signs of drug and alcohol misuse (or abuse) will help you to manage health and safety risk in your workplace, develop a policy to deal with drug and alcohol-related problems and support your employees’.

So what you can do?

Any workplace can establish, promote programs which are focused to address alcoholism and drug issues and these would be effective on improving workers health.

As the legal overview states, get in place or simply complete a review of your ‘Alcohol & Drugs Policy’. Then you must ensure your policy is distributed out to every employee and contractor working on your site under your responsibility – it’s no good to anyone if it’s just sat somewhere on a shelf or a computer.

Look at focused programs on improving health – many individuals and families face a host of difficulties closely associated with drinking and drug use which quite often spill over into the workplace.

You may have screening as part of your alcohol & drug policy, so think carefully about what you want your employee or contractor screening to achieve and then what you will then do with the information:

• The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) has more information on screening in their guide Managing drug and alcohol misuse at work link to external website.
• For advice on how to make sure drug testing is reliable and accurate go to the European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS) website link to external website. 

Consult your employees, this involves not only giving them helpful advice and information but also listening to what they have to say.

Financials

Looking at the above statistics, it not hard to understand that alcohol & drug assistance programs and support will undoubtedly pay for themselves in reduced healthcare costs, reduced working days lost and ultimately the risk businesses face with non-compliance.

And let’s not forget the moral obligations employers have to their employees.

A great safety culture will reinforce your brand.

Can Safety PAL help?

If you need any assistance with these issues in the workplace, Safety PAL can help with ensuring your ‘Alcohol & Drug Policy’ is fit for purpose and has been read and understood by your entire workforce. We can also support with information videos, contractor compliance and generally raising awareness on the frontline.

If you have questions, send us an email safety@yoursafetypal.com or contact us here.