21 Nov Substance Abuse – Safety and Impairment in the Workplace

Substance Abuse – Safety and Impairment in the Workplace

Substance abuse can create serious workplace safety risks when alcohol, illegal drugs, cannabis, misused medications, or other substances impair an employee’s ability to work safely. Employees must report to work fit for duty and remain capable of performing their assigned tasks safely throughout the workday.

How Impairment Affects Safety

Alcohol and drugs can affect employees differently depending on the substance, dosage, individual, and other factors. Impairment may affect:

• Judgment and decision-making.
• Coordination and balance.
• Reaction time.
• Concentration and attention.
• Vision and perception.
• Alertness and awareness.
• Ability to recognize and respond to hazards.

These effects can be especially dangerous when driving, operating equipment, working at heights, performing electrical work, handling hazardous materials, or completing other safety-sensitive tasks.

Impairment Can Carry Over

An employee does not have to consume alcohol or drugs while at work to create a workplace hazard. Effects from earlier use may continue into the next shift.

A hangover, fatigue, reduced concentration, or lingering impairment can interfere with safe job performance. Employees must never assume they are fit for duty simply because several hours have passed since alcohol or another impairing substance was consumed.

Prescription and Over-the-Counter Medications

Legal medications can also affect an employee’s ability to work safely. Some prescription and over-the-counter medications may cause:

• Drowsiness.
• Dizziness.
• Blurred vision.
• Slower reaction time.
• Reduced coordination.
• Difficulty concentrating.

Employees should read medication warnings and follow company procedures when a medication could affect their ability to safely perform assigned work. Employees should not discontinue or alter prescribed medication without appropriate medical guidance.

Recognizing a Potential Safety Concern

Possible signs that someone may not be fit for duty can include unusual behavior, poor coordination, difficulty concentrating, slurred speech, excessive drowsiness, or significant changes in job performance.

Do not attempt to diagnose the cause of another employee’s behavior. If you believe an employee’s condition presents an immediate safety concern, notify a supervisor or other designated company representative according to company procedures.

Employee Responsibilities

Employees are expected to:

• Report to work fit for duty.
• Follow the company’s Drug and Alcohol Policy.
• Never perform work while impaired.
• Avoid using alcohol or other impairing substances during working time.
• Understand warnings associated with medications they use.
• Stop work and notify supervision when they believe they cannot perform their duties safely.
• Report observed conditions that could create an immediate safety hazard.
• Never allow production pressures or deadlines to override safety.

Supervisor Responsibilities

Supervisors should address suspected impairment consistently with company policy. When there is a reasonable concern that an employee cannot safely perform assigned duties, the employee should be removed from safety-sensitive work while the situation is addressed through established company procedures.

Supervisors should focus on observable behavior and job performance rather than assumptions about why an employee may be impaired.

Remember

Fitness for duty is essential to workplace safety. Alcohol, drugs, and some medications can interfere with judgment, coordination, reaction time, and concentration. Never perform safety-sensitive work when you are impaired or otherwise unable to perform the work safely.