The consumption of alcohol & illicit drugs in the workplace is increasingly becoming an issue for businesses across industries. Implementing a formal drug & alcohol policy as well embedding associated procedures, can assist in ensuring a safer workplace.

Safe workplace: Drugs & Alcohol – The consumption of alcohol and illicit drugs in the workplace has become an increasingly significant issue for employers with substance abuse occurring regularly in many workplaces.

  • Alcohol costs Australian workplaces approximately $6 billion per year in lost productivity
  • Nearly 11.5 millions sick days as a result of alcohol and drug consumption
  • 1 in 10 workers reported drinking at work, nearly 1% reported drug use at work, 6% and 2% reported attending work under the influence.

There are many negative impacts of substance use in the workplace, with the most important being the risk to Workplace Safety, especially in high risk environments such as construction sites.

Other impacts in the Workplace include decreased cognitive function, productivity and performance, absenteeism, physical and mental health damage, erratic behaviour, unpunctuality and damage to equipment and other property along with increase in costs of workplace injuries and workers compensation claims.

For effective prevention and detection, it is important to understand the many factors that can contribute to the use of drugs and alcohol in the Workplace, these can include;

  • Personal issues such as relationship strains, domestic or family violence
  • Bullying or harassment
  • Unfair working hours
  • Conflict with management or other workers
  • Unrealistic performance targets
  • Health concerns or financial problems
  • History of substance abuse
  • Gambling and many more

It is important to be in tune with your workers or colleagues to be able to recognise sudden and rapid changes in behaviour.  Employers need to work together with their workers to develop a safe workplace culture and effectively and efficiently monitor and prevent these issues from arising.

All workplaces should have a drug and alcohol related policy and procedures tailored to their work environment in consultation with employee’s. If you need assistance with creation of these documents or drug and alcohol testing, please contact our WHS specialists for assistance.


For further information, please refer to:

Source: Alchohol & Drug Foundation

Title: Alcohol and other drugs in the Workplace

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