Utilities Employee drugs testing
Alcohol and Drugs test UK Utilities
Drugs testing utility workers - Fair or Not?
Although testing for illicit drugs is more prevalent than alcohol testing, results from two nationwide surveys reveal that alcohol testing of employees is on the rise. Since the beginning of the industrial era, employers have been concerned about the costs and consequences of inappropriate alcohol consumption by workers on and off the job. By far the most common of the drugs that can affect work performance is alcohol. Many studies have shown that both heavy drinking over time and the misuse of alcohol in safety-sensitive situations have had significant negative effects on worker productivity and health, and on employer costs and profits. As a consequence, several strategies have emerged to control this behaviour. Modem interventions include Employee Assistance Programs, health promotion programs, and education and training efforts.
In the 1980s, employee drugs testing programs became a popular workplace method to address substance misuse. Testing programs are primarily intended to detect the use of illicit drugs, but are also used in many work sites to detect inappropriate alcohol use among employees. Random testing is considered the most potent deterrant to workplace substance misuse.
Underestimating the effects
A vast amount of literature has consistently documented the negative effect of alcohol use on production costs and worker and public safety. Research indicates that chronic and situational misuse of alcohol is positively associated with absenteeism, job turnover, industrial accidents, poor job performance, lack of self-direction, poor interpersonal relations, lower levels of job satisfaction, theft, vandalism, and negative work behaviours.
Historically, employers have relied on supervisors to identify alcohol misusers. Some of the telltale signs are: deterioration of job performance, poor work habits, antisocial behaviour, accidents, absenteeism, and a host of other incidents that could cause management to inquire about alcohol misuse. These approaches have their shortcomings, such as the reluctance of supervisors to monitor and intervene with alcohol-related behaviours, their tendency to cover up the alcohol misuse of workers under their supervision, and their failure to handle the reactive nature of alcohol misusers. Many managers believe that alcohol random testing is a valuable approach to controlling the workplace consequences of chronic and situational alcohol misuse. One reason for this is the apparently objective, scientific nature of testing procedures (breathalyser, blood tests, and urinalysis).
Progress is being made
The utilities, oil, gas, and petrochemical industries along with many safety organisations have addressed specific hazards in servicing operations by developing a number of publications, recommended practices and guidelines that specifically address safe work practices. Many safety critical industries have, over a period of time, developed robust alcohol and drugs test policies in relation to substance abuse. Many are designed to detect employees who may have substance abuse problems by testing for drugs on:
A. Pre-employment
B. For-Cause' (following an accident or on reasonable grounds of suspicion)
C. Unannounced Random basis
All utilities companies are committed to a safe, healthy, and productive workplace for all employees. Companies recognise that alcohol, drugs, or other substance abuse by employees may impair their ability to perform safely and can have serious adverse effects on the safety, efficiency and productivity of other employees. The misuse of legitimate drugs, or the use, possession, distribution or sale of illicit drugs is strictly prohibited and is often grounds for termination of employment. Being unfit for work because of use of drugs or alcohol is strictly prohibited and is grounds for termination of employment. Alcohol is completely banned on all offshore installations. The use and/or possession of controlled substances offshore is illegal and most oil/gas/chemical companies have a policy of random testing. Possession and use of controlled substances is viewed extremely seriously and individuals will almost certainly lose their job if caught taking or possessing them.
The UK has one of the most sophisticated regimes for maintaining industrial safety, building on a strong track record which dates back to the nineteenth century. This record is already commendable, with fatal accidents reduced by over two thirds since the introduction of the landmark Health and Safety at Work Act in 1974. Hazards remain however, and everyone has a responsibility to take steps to mitigate the risks as far as possible - including controlling the risk of alcohol abuse.
A crisis is never far away
A new report says people employed in the utilities industry are seeking help for alcohol dependency in extremely high numbers and face working conditions that put extraordinary stress on families. The study by the Shepell.fgi Research Group says in the past three years the number of energy industry employees seeking counselling for drinking problems was up 481 per cent. The high rate of addictions is of particular concern to employers due to the safety-sensitive nature of the workplace. Part of the problem is the industry includes large numbers of transitory workers who live away from home. The report also says spouses of employees who move to another region to find work face isolation and work schedules that can lead to higher levels of substance abuse. In order to deal with the problem, companies need to offer stress management education to workers and establish policies that help prevent alcohol abuse.
Help for alcohol dependency spikes
A utilities industry spokesman, said recently that the number of people seeking counselling for drug problems in the industry has remained relatively constant over the past few years but the number of people seeking help for alcohol dependency has increased at a much greater rate. Researchers weren't sure if the trend is because alcohol is legal and more socially acceptable than illegal drugs or that testing for illegal drugs has become prevalent at many work sites. He said the industry is getting the message about the need to better deal with alcohol dependency in its workforce. Most organisations recognize that it is just one part of what needs to be a multi-pronged strategy.
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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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