Construction Employee drugs testing
Alcohol and Drugs test UK Construction
Employee Drugs Testing Reduces Workplace Injuries
In our experience over the past two decades, Employee Drug Testing programs have grown exponentially. A major driving force has been the legislative requirements for employees in the nuclear, petrochemical and transportation sectors to be tested prior to employment and under various circumstances throughout their employment. An outgrowth of drug and alcohol screening in these positions is the testing of construction workers.
Construction companies that test for drugs have a reduction of workplace injuries, according to a recent study, "Evaluation of Drug Testing in the Workplace: Study of the Construction Industry." The study examined the effectiveness of drug testing construction employees and looks at the impact a drug-free workplace program has on the reduction of injury incident rates and related injury compensation claims.
Statistically, the construction industry has the highest percentage of problem drinkers, with nearly 1 in 7 having a serious alcohol problem. The use of alcohol and other substances while at work greatly influences a person's ability to perform safely. With such a large number of high-risk and safety-sensitive positions within the industry, there is an increase in the likelihood for work-site accidents and injuries.
Study Data
Data for the study was collected through a survey which was sent to a randomly selected national sample construction companies. The data examined included injury rates over a five-year period. The study shows that the implementation of a drug-free workplace program directly influences a reduction in injury incident rates and workers' compensation, reducing Employers Liability insurance premiums. Other findings of the study include:
* Companies that alcohol and drugs test experience a 51% reduction in injury rates within two years of implementing a drugs testing program from a rate of 8.92 incidents per 200,000 work-hours to 4.36 incidents. The difference is statistically significant when compared to a 14% decline in the average construction firm during the same time period
* As a result of fewer accidents and injuries, companies that carry out employee drugs testing, on average experienced an 11.4% reduction in compensation claims. Firms that did not carry out employee drugs testing experienced no decline. Companies that operate an alcohol and drugs test policy save substantially on their employer's liability insurance
* Employee drugs testing is most effective in reducing accidents in the first three years immediately following programme implementation
* The number one reason why employers in the construction industry test their employees is to promote the safety of their workers and those who use their products. Companies believe an alcohol and drugs test policy contributes positively to company image and is an effective deterrent in preventing drug abuse
* The number one reason why employers do NOT alcohol and drugs test their employees is concern for increased legal liability
* Larger construction companies are significantly more likely to adopt an alcohol and drugs test programme than smaller companies
Construction News reported (October 2006) that Laing O'Rourke dismissed 10% of workers who took a random alcohol and drugs test during the year because they failed them. Meanwhile, a recent survey revealed that alcohol consumption was a problem in 90% of businesses.
Drugs and Alcohol as a matter of perspective
Whilst many regarded this as a minor problem affecting only a handful of employees, 17 percent of businesses described it as a 'major problem'. Concerns in order of priority were:
1. Loss of productivity and poor performance
2. Lateness and absenteeism
3. Safety concerns
4. Effect on team morale and employee relations
5. Bad behaviour or poor discipline
6. Adverse effects on company image and customer relations
In some industries alcohol and drug use is commonplace. Alcohol affects an individual's judgement, motor control, concentration, vision and co-ordination. Consuming even small amounts of alcohol prior to or while performing 'safety sensitive' work does lead to an increase in the risk of accidents. Workers in the construction industry are six times more likely to be killed at work than other workers.
If a person drinks two pints of ordinary strength lager at lunchtime, they could still have alcohol in their bloodstream four hours later. Similarly, a heavy drinking session may leave a person over the limit by the following morning. Even blood alcohol concentrations lower than the drink drive limit can still affect co-ordination, reaction times, judgement and perception. Due to our individual biological sensitivities the effects of drugs (alcohol is the most commonly abused drug in the UK) vary significantly between individuals. Heavy or prolonged drug use over time results in a build up of tolerance whereby the body no longer responds in the way it initially responded, and it requires larger and larger quantities to achieve the same level of response achieved initially. The physical and behavioural symptoms can be much less apparent in these people. Even occasional users pose a problem to employers as the effects of certain drugs can last for days after taking them.
Duties of the Employer
Breaches of health and safety law are breaches of criminal law and can result in fines, imprisonment or even both. Employers have a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act to ensure, as far as reasonably practicable, the health and safety and welfare of its employees and to ensure that others, including contractors and members of the public, are not exposed to risks.
If you are a Manager or Director and you knowingly allow an employee under the influence of alcohol or drugs to continue working and they place themselves or others at risk, you could be prosecuted. There is further legislation in the Transport industry whereby operators of transport systems (including aviation, railways, and trams) would be guilty of a criminal offence unless they could demonstrate that all due diligence had been applied in attempting to control the risk associated with substance abuse.
Employers should also be informed that the possession of Controlled Drugs by an employee is a criminal offence punishable with imprisonment. Furthermore if employees are sharing drugs whilst at work, e.g. passing round a cannabis joint, the law will classify these people as drug dealers and the employer will also be criminally liable if they knowingly permit work premises to be used for this activity.
FREE TOOLBOX TALKS
We have developed a series Five free Alcohol and Drugs Toolbox Talks specifically for Safety Managers.
- Click here to download the Alcohol and Drugs Tool Box Talks
- Complete the On-Line Request For Sample Collection and Analysis Form
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The Impact of Alcohol and Drugs in UK Industry Sectors (click on a link):
- Public Service Transport
- Logistics and Distribution
- Engineering
- Utilities
- Railways
- Shipping and Maritime
- Finance and Commerce
- Aviation
- Manufacturing
- Education
- Retail and Wholesale
- Atomic and Nuclear
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