5.6 Substance abuse at work

Written by Imran Qureshi (NEBOSH)

NEBOSH IGC · Workplace hazards · 15 questions

Name: ____________________ Date: ____________

Which substance can affect safety at work?
- A Legal medicines that cause drowsiness
- B Only illegal drugs
- C Only alcohol
- D None of these
A good substance abuse policy should include:
- A No testing or checks at all
- B No mention of alcohol
- C Only punishment
- D Support and confidential help
Testing for drugs and alcohol may be justified for:
- A Safety critical roles
- B Visitors only
- C Everyone in all cases without reason
- D No one
Which of these can be a substance abuse hazard at work?
- A Daylight
- B Fresh air
- C A sit-stand desk
- D Alcohol
Substance abuse can affect:
- A Only the noise level
- B Only the weather
- C Only the cleaning
- D Judgement, coordination and reaction time
A substance abuse policy should say:
- A That everyone is fired
- B That testing is secret
- C What is prohibited and what help is available
- D That alcohol is encouraged
When is testing for drugs and alcohol most justified?
- A For safety critical roles and following incidents
- B For all customers
- C For every visitor
- D Never, in any circumstances
Disciplinary action for substance abuse is best used:
- A Only for managers
- B Instead of a policy
- C As the first step
- D As a last resort after support is offered
Which of these should be given to managers and workers?
- A A longer shift
- B No information
- C Information and training about the policy
- D Free alcohol
A worker takes a legal medicine that causes drowsiness. The employer should:
- A Ignore it
- B Publish the medical details
- C Fire the worker at once
- D Consider whether it affects safety and discuss adjustments
Which behaviour change may suggest a substance problem?
- A Attending training
- B Winning an award
- C Poor performance and absence
- D Always arriving early with high output
A confidential help line is an example of:
- A A noise control
- B A fire control
- C A disciplinary step
- D Support for people with a problem
Substance abuse puts at risk:
- A Only visitors
- B The worker, colleagues and others
- C No one
- D Only the worker
Solvents are included in the substance abuse topic because they:
- A Can be abused and affect judgement
- B Never cause harm
- C Are only used by managers
- D Remove noise
A policy that only threatens discipline is likely to:
- A Get more cooperation
- B Get less cooperation than one that includes support
- C Remove all problems
- D Be best practice

Answer key

1. A, 2. D, 3. A, 4. D, 5. D, 6. C, 7. A, 8. D, 9. C, 10. D, 11. C, 12. D, 13. B, 14. A, 15. B

Legal medicines can also impair safety.
Support encourages people to ask for help.
Testing needs a justification such as a safety critical role.
Alcohol, drugs and solvents affect judgement.
These effects increase incident risk.
A policy with support gets more cooperation.
Testing should be justified.
Support comes before discipline.
Awareness supports the policy.
Legal medicines can affect safety.
Warning signs include poor performance, absence and mood changes.
Confidential help encourages people to come forward.
Colleagues and others can be harmed.
Alcohol, drugs and solvents are listed.
Support helps people to seek help early.