ALCOHOL & DRUGS WORKSHOP

- INTRODUCTION- A HEALTH AND SAFETY PERSPECTIVE

Ian Dandy MSc, CMIOSH, MIIRSM, MIOA, AMIEMA, MaPS, CFPA (Europe) Dip Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner

EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM?

According to the British Crime Survey:-• Half of young people between 16-29 have

used illegal drugs in last 12 months!• 70% of misusers currently in full time

employment.• A substance misuser is 3.6 times more likely to

be involved in an accident.

DRUGS/ALCOHOL RELATED ABSENTEEISM?

According to Health Care Connections drug/ alcohol abuse:-•Accounts for 5% of all absences from work.•Equates to 17-18 million lost working days/ year.•This costs UK industry £4.1 billion/year....

This is only the ‘tip of the iceberg’....

SUBSTANCE MISUSE – ESTIMATED TOTAL COSTS?

• Absenteeism.• Ill health.• Poor performance.• Compensation.• Criminal activity.

TOTAL COSTS TO UK INDUSTRY?£12-16 BILLION!!!

• So, we do have a problem!

WHAT ARE THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS?• Obligations under Health and Safety at Work

etc Act 1974.– Duty to employees– Duty to non employees

• Could a company be prosecuted if an accident occurred due to drug/alcohol abuse?

CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER AND CORPORATE HOMICIDE ACT 2007

Companies and organisations can be found guilty as a result of:-•Serious management failures

Resulting in....•Gross breach of Duty of Care.

CAN AN INDIVIDUAL BE PROSECUTED?

Where ‘Corporate Body’ commits offence:-If the offence is due to:-• Consent • Connivance• Neglectof Director, Company Secretary or other officer.INDIVIDUAL may be prosecuted as well as

CORPORATE BODY (Section 37).

WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS? – COULD WE BE SUED?!!

• DUTY OF CARE– Safe place of work– Safe plant/equipment– Competent fellow workers

• VICARIOUS LIABILITY– Employer ‘carries can’ if 3rd party injured by employee!!

WHAT SHOULD A COMPANY AIM TO ACHIEVE?

TO:-• PREVENT the risk to employees, contractors, customers and

the public.• PROTECT the health and welfare of employees.• PREVENT the damaging effects of alcohol and drugs on good

business performance.• COMPLY with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.• MEET or exceed the expectations of our customers and

clients.• PROTECT the good reputation of our company.

ATG CAN PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES

• PREPARATION OF ALCOHOL & DRUGS POLICY– As part of Health and Safety Policy Manual– As ‘stand alone’ Policy Manual

• EMPLOYEE AWARENESS TRAINING– On the health and safety implications

• EMPLOYEE MONITORING/SCREENING– Pre employment/routine– Non routine/post incident

HOWEVER ........

WHAT ARE THE DIFFICULTIES FOR AN EMPLOYER?

• HOW CAN I LEGALLY INTRODUCE A POLICY?

• HOW CAN I RECOGNISE THE SHORT TERM EFFECTS – HOW WOULD I KNOW IF MY EMPLOYEES ARE HABITUAL USERS?

– Ron Flowers - Ron Flowers Training will give us all the answers!

• HOW CAN I EDUCATE/ASSIST MY EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDE REHABILITATION STRATEGIES?

AND FINALLY........an early Christmas present...

A bespoke Alcohol & Drugs Policy for your Company

– free of charge*

*completed forms must be left with us today

Any Questions