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The effects of alcohol and drug abuse at work are as follows:
• Slurred speech
• Memory loss
• Mood swings
• Loss of consciousness
• Absenteeism
• Late attendance
• Loss of production
• Workplace violence and harassment
• Poor decision making
• Theft
• Dishonesty
• Having trouble with co-workers
Drug abuse is costs to the employer, can be measured through absenteeism, injuries, fatalities,
production loss, insurance claims.
Drug or alcohol misuse could have a serious outcome, for example:
• using machinery
• using electrical equipment or ladders
• driving or operating heavy lifting equipment
Control Measures to Reduce Risks from Substance Abuse at Work
The employer has to collect information about the substance abuse problem from the
workplace, company accident, ill-health history may show a clear pattern of drug and alcohol
abuse.
Employers and employees can collaborate to design policies which outline what is an acceptable
code of behaviour and what is not. The policy may include:
• Rules and restriction to have access to alcohol in the workplace or during working hours.
• Ban workers under the influence of alcohol.
• Screening and testing for drugs and alcohol, this can be done randomly or upon reporting to
the work. For example, aircraft pilots and crew members are checked for alcohol and drug
screen when they report to the shift on daily basis.
• Rehabilitation and treatment arrangements for the workers to tackle the problem of abuse.
• Taking disciplinary actions against employer who refuse to get screened and tested.
• Increase awareness by to the workers, supervisors and managers through training also give
instruction to them.
• Drug and alcohol testing, the employer must take consent form the employee for practical
and legal reasons. Ensure that the sample collected are kept safely without being
contaminated or tampered. The employer also must make sure that the testing procedures
and analysis are accurate.
ENSIGN | Unit IG2 – Element 5 – Physical and Psychological 32
Health
