“Alcohol and drugs cost Australian workplaces an estimated $6 billion per year in lost productivity.” – Alcohol and Drug Foundation (2017).
The impact of Drug and Alcohol Abuse in the Workplace Setting:
According to NCADI statistics, alcohol and drug users:
- Are far less productive;
- Use three times as many sick days;
- Are more likely to injure themselves or someone else;
- Are five times more likely to file a worker’s compensation claim
“One in four workplace injuries including deaths, are associated with alcohol and other drugs.” – (Fit4Duty, 2020).
In addition to deaths, accidents, absenteeism and loss of production, other problems that alcohol and drug abuse can cause on the job include:
- Poor decision making;
- Loss of efficiency;
- Interference with attention and concentration;
- Theft;
- Higher turnover;
- Illegal activities at work including selling illicit drugs to other employees;
- Tardiness/sleeping on the job;
- Hangover or withdrawal affecting job performance;
(Very Well Mind, 2020)
Is it possible to conduct Drug & Alcohol Testing during COVID-19?
Yes!
It’s been a difficult time for all businesses. According to the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Journal (2020), during the COVID-19 pandemic, 20% of Australians purchased more alcohol and 70% of them are drinking more alcohol than normal, with 33% now drinking alcohol daily. It is believed that Australians are drinking more during COVID-19 to deal with anxiety, negativity, stress and our changing environment (The Alcohol and Drug Foundation, 2020).
COVID-19 spreads through droplets expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes. According to the National Guidelines for Public Health Units, the collection of upper respiratory specimens is considered a low risk procedure and may be performed safely using contact and droplet precautions.
As health professionals, we are skilled in managing infection, treating your staff with dignity and managing records with a strict focus on privacy.
How can Workplace Health and Safety Victoria assist your workplace?
- On-site testing;
- In-clinic testing;
- Pre-employment testing;
- Education for your staff;
- Assistance in creating and editing your Drug & Alcohol Policy;
All results that are non-negative are sent to a laboratory and verified by a second more specific test before it is considered a positive. Chain of Custody protocols are always strictly adhered to and all information is kept discreetly, ensuring the privacy of employees and employers alike.
Education is an important part of drug and alcohol testing and we encourage all of our companies to be pro-active in this area so that everyone involved understands that this is a positive initiative that will benefit employees and employers. Please contact[email protected] or call 0456 387 569 for further information.