June Safety Month: Workplace Impairment - Drugs on the Job

What is impairment in the workplace? Most people would define it as substance abuse, addiction, or dependence to alcohol or drugs. However, impairment can be a result of various situations, temporary, short-term, and long term. This is not the case. Impairment at work can be issues that distract a person from focusing on their work-related tasks.

Examples of impairment:

• Experiencing side effects of substance abuse
• Fatigue
• Family crisis
• Assisting a child or an infant
• Treating illness or using medication with side effects
• Experiencing sexual harassment or bullying me
• Experiencing shock or insecurity after a workplace incident
• Disruption to body circadian rhythm

Drugs on the Job: Drug abuse is a major problem both in the United States and around the world. A 2018 study published by the CDC found that an estimated 11.7% of Americans aged 12 or older had used an illicit drug in the past month. This number is estimated even higher today due to an increase in the use of opioids and marijuana. Drugs can cause many different problems at work in regard to safety depending on the kind of drugs, the individual, and the level of abuse.

Drug Abuse can be Costly for Employers It is estimated by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence that drug abuse costs employers over $81 billion annually. A lot of money is spent on drug testing in an attempt to hire drug free individuals and to discourage drug use while working. Despite drug testing by employers, the NCADD estimates that 70% of the estimated 14.8 million Americans who use illegal drugs are employed. It is important for everyone’s safety that workers do not use illegal drugs on and off the job.

Effects of Drugs at Work affect an individual’s ability to reason, motor skills, and decision-making abilities. Individuals can also experience an altered mood or aggression towards other coworkers. It is important to report any odd or suspicious behavior to your supervisor. The supervisor will work with Human Resources to monitor the situation and take further steps if needed.

Summary: When an individual comes to work under the influence of drugs, it is a huge safety concern for everyone. The cost of drug abuse in the workplace hurts everyone in the company. Potential upgrades to equipment, pay raises, bonuses, and better benefits could be out of the question due to drug abuse. Speak up when you think one of your coworkers is suffering from a drug abuse problem.