Page 21 - BOSS Today Issue 53

DOWN TO BUSINESS BOSS Today #53

ALCOHOL AND

DRUGS AT WORK

Misuse of drugs and alcohol is not the same thing as dependence

hould an employee’s personal lifestyle suggest to their supervisor that there may cold and flu medicine is drowsiness, which
Soutside of work concern employers? be a problem, bearing in mind that they reduces a person’s level of alertness.
The answer to this question is ‘yes’, but wouldn’t hesitate to bring a faulty safety Fatigue is a factor in nearly one third of
only if the level of drug and alcohol use has guard to their supervisor’s attention. HGV accidents in which the driver is killed.
an impact on the individuals’ attendance Taking medication and using machinery
or performance, or if it could increase the Non-Prescribed Drugs can lead to accidents at work. If an
risk of accidents, at work. Employees are far more likely to have an employee takes medication, they should
Employers have a legal duty to protect accident on site when under the influence inform their supervisor as it could affect
employees’ health, safety and welfare. of drugs. All drugs can affect the ability to their work. As a rule, employees should
Understanding the signs of drug and work safely, and can cause slow reaction follow the recommended dosages, not mix
alcohol misuse or abuse will help you to times, clumsiness, poor decision-making medications and always read the label.
manage health and safety risk in your and distorted vision. Signs to look for
workplace. include: Screening and Testing for Drugs
Misuse of drugs and alcohol is not the and Alcohol
same thing as dependence. Drug and n Watery eyes Screening by itself will not solve problems
alcohol misuse is the use of illegal drugs, n Dilated pupils caused by drug and alcohol misuse and, if
alcohol, medicines and substances such n Running nose or constant sniffing introduced, should be part of a company’s
as solvents. Consider these warning signs, n Tight lips, sores or ulcers overall health and safety policy. It is not
which could indicate drug or alcohol n Trembling, fatigue, irritability compulsory for employees to have drug
misuse: tests, but if they refuse when an employer
Prescribed Drugs has good grounds for testing, they may
n Unexplained or frequent absences A common side-effect of over-the-counter face disciplinary action.
n Change in behaviour
n Increased accidents or near-misses
n Performance or conduct issues
If you or someone you work with requires confidential
Alcohol advice or support regarding drugs or alcohol, contact
Working under the influence of alcohol is your Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), or contact:
strictly prohibited. Tests have shown that
alcohol can still influence the body up to 18
hours after someone has stopped drinking.
Drinking any quantity of alcohol impairs Drinkline For further information on this
a person’s judgment and coordination. 0300 123 1110 or article, please contact your regional
An inebriated worker could be just as www.drinkaware.co.uk/advice/ HS&E Adviser. Details can be found at
dangerous as a defective guard on a alcohol-support-services www.britishprint.com/HSEAdviser
machine.
It is an employee’s responsibility to talk Talk to Frank
to their supervisor if they are concerned 0300 123 6600 or
about safety issues that affect their job. www.talktofrank.com
If they are uncomfortable, they should

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