27 Aug The Effect Of Alcohol & Drug Use In The Workplace
Staying safe on-the-job can be tough. But, being under the influence and staying safe on-the-job is even tougher.
Drug Abuse Effects in the Workplace
Alcohol and drugs can have a harmful effect on the health, safety, and well-being of colleagues, co-workers, and customers at the workplace.
Most Americans struggling with a substance use disorder continue to hold down a job and the likelihood for workplace accidents skyrockets when employees are under the influence.
“In fact, people who abuse drugs or alcohol are involved in over three times as many accidents as those who do not.” The use of alcohol and other drugs, even in small moderation, can impair our performance, judgement, coordination, concentration, and alertness.
Other side effects of addition and drug abuse at work can include:
- Withdrawal symptoms affecting job performance
- Inability to focus or concentrate while under the influence
- Needless risk-taking affecting the company
- Illegal sales of drugs to coworkers and other illicit activities
Preventing Drugs in the Workplace
Whatever your profession, the job requires all of your concentration and attention. Alertness and skill are always required on the job. When a worker consumes alcohol and drugs, they are not only risking their own life, but the lives of those around them.
“Keeping your workplace free of alcohol and other drugs is essential to protecting you and your coworkers’ safety and health.”
Those who abuse drugs are nit he only ones affected in the workplace. Friends, family members and coworkers report mental stress at work as well.
Employers can take simple steps to protect themselves and their employees:
- Recognize prescription drugs impact the bottom line
- Enact strong company drug policies
- Expand drug panel testing to include opioids
- Train supervisors and employees to spot the first signs of drug misuse
- Treat substance abuse as a disease
- Leverage employee assistance programs to help employees return to work
Organizations must get information out to their employees that help them understand the effects of drug abuse.
Synergy Comp’s Free Safety Resources
Safety National is an online training resource that improves the safety performance of your whole team while building a culture of safety. The online training resource covers a broad range of topics related to your business including the topic, Drug Testing Awareness.
Drug Testing Awareness is a great topic to help kick off Alcohol Awareness Month in hopes that managers and supervisors will educate others on the importance of staying sober in the workplace.
The topic discusses the risks that can occur when alcohol and drugs are used at a worksite.
Synergy offers several other safety resources to all current active clients that focus on the specific changes and challenges that are unique to all businesses. The trainings are industry specific and cater to your exact line of business. The online resource will be free of charge; not only saving time but money.
If you are interested in partnering with Synergy Comp and SOS Consulting to create a culture that fosters communication and embraces safety as a core operating principle, Contact Us Today!
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