5.6 Substance Misuse at Work

Risks to health and safety from substance misuse at work

The main types of substance misused at work are:

• alcohol
• illegal and legal drugs
• solvents

Misuse is not the same as dependence. Drug and alcohol misuse means using illegal drugs and misusing alcohol, medicines and substances such as solvents.

These warning signs could indicate drug or alcohol misuse:

• a fall in work efficiency in volume, accuracy or promptness
• frequent lateness with vague excuses
• excessive use of sick or leave days, especially after the weekend
• requests for immediate time off
• decreased personal hygiene
• physical indicators, such as track marks, smelling of alcohol or bloodshot eyes
• more errors, including accidents or near misses
• an observed change in alertness or coordination during safety-critical work, which needs prompt risk management without assuming its cause
• mood swings, irritability or conduct problems
• increased apathy towards work or lower quality of work
• poor interaction with coworkers, bosses or clients
• signs of intoxication, such as jitteriness, slurred speech, drowsiness or cloudy thinking
• impaired coordination or judgement
• signs of withdrawal, such as trembling hands, sickness or weight loss
• repeated unexplained changes in performance or attendance, discussed fairly and privately using the facts
• missed deadlines or inconsistent performance
• markedly raised or lowered energy levels

These observations are not proof of substance misuse and can have medical, personal or work-related causes. Correctly used medicines can also impair alertness without being misused. Control immediate safety risks, speak privately, follow a fair policy and offer appropriate support. Some work-related factors that may contribute to misuse are:

• high stress
• low job satisfaction
• long hours or irregular shifts
• fatigue
• repetitive duties
• periods of inactivity or boredom
• isolation
• remote or irregular supervision
• easy access to substances

Control measures to reduce the risks from substance misuse

The employer should collect information about how big the problem is in the workplace, since company history may show a clear pattern of misuse. In some places local culture severely restricts the use of drugs and alcohol. The employer should set a clear drugs and alcohol policy, which might contain:

• rules restricting access to alcohol in the workplace or during working hours
• statutory legal requirements that prohibit workers from being under the influence of drugs and alcohol
• non-statutory requirements, set by the employer, that prohibit the same
• any testing arrangements, justified by risk and purpose, with consultation, applicable consent/privacy safeguards and reliable sample handling and analysis
• arrangements for workers to get rehabilitation and treatment if they admit to a problem
• a fair process for safety restrictions and any disciplinary action, consistent with local law; a test result or refusal does not automatically establish impairment or justify dismissal
• employee assistance programmes
• action to reduce adverse working conditions that increase the risk of alcohol and drug use
• information, instruction and training for workers, supervisors and managers

Further Reading

• Ambient factors in the workplace, ILO Code of Practice
• Controlling noise at work: The Control of Noise at Work Regulations 2005, guidance on Regulations (L108), second edition
• Directive 2013/35/EU on minimum health and safety requirements for the exposure of workers to risks from physical agents (electromagnetic fields)
• Hand-arm vibration: The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, guidance on Regulations (L140)
• HSE Stress Management Standards
• ILO Radiation Protection Convention, 1960 (C115), and Recommendation R114
• ILO Working Environment (Air Pollution, Noise and Vibration) Convention, 1977 (C148), and Recommendation R156
• Managing the causes of work-related stress: a step-by-step approach using the Management Standards (HSG218), second edition, 2007
• Noise at work: a brief guide to controlling the risks (INDG362)
• Personal protective equipment at work, second edition, HSE
• Radiation protection of workers (ionising radiations), ILO Code of Practice, 1987
• Safety in the use of chemicals at work, ILO Code of Practice, 1993, sections 6 and 7
• The health and safety toolbox: how to control risks at work (HSG268)
• Upper limb disorders in the workplace: a guide (HSG60), second edition, 2002
• Whole-body vibration: The Control of Vibration at Work Regulations 2005, guidance on Regulations (L141)
• hse.gov.uk/radiation/ionising/radon.htm

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