Enhancing workplace safety through drug and alcohol screening

In the UK, alcohol-related issues cost over £7 billion annually, with 167,000 working days lost each year. These problems arise from employees working under the influence, operating machinery while impaired, or suffering health problems due to substance misuse. Alcohol contributes to low productivity for 40% of employers, with 3% to 5% of absences linked to its use. Additionally, 35% of workers have witnessed colleagues under the influence, and 25% have been directly affected by substance misuse.

Alcohol impairs judgment, reaction time, and coordination, increasing the risk of accidents. The NHS highlights that processing even one unit of alcohol takes about an hour, with impairments worsening with higher consumption. Drugs, depending on type and use, can stay in the system for varying periods, further complicating safety.

To address this, employers often implement screening as part of their drug and alcohol policies. This is particularly crucial in safety-critical roles, such as drivers or machinery operators. Effective policies should combine screening with employee support systems to reduce substance misuse, enhance safety, and improve productivity.

Shawcity now offers a comprehensive range of solutions tailored to your monitoring requirements, from drug testing kits to breathalysers and combined alcohol and drug testing equipment.