Substance Misuse in the Workplace Dr Patrick Flippance Regional Medical Officer Tata Steel Europe NASS SHAD 4/7/12
Contents Introduction What is Substance misuse Why worry at work? Signs of substance misuse The Legal Position The Tata Steel Europe Policy Testing
What Is Substance Misuse? The use of illegal drugs The misuse of prescribed drugs & other substances including alcohol Misuse can harm the misuser, other people, society & the environment
Why Worry at Work? Possession of some drugs illegal Health & safety issues, especially safety critical work Employer s duty of care Performance issues Support those with problems
Benefits of Tackling Misuse at Work Reduced risk of accidents Increased productivity and morale Reduced ill-health Reduced absenteeism Reduced recruitment & training costs Enhanced public perception of company Contribution to society s efforts
Social Effects Family breakdown or Divorce Sexually transmitted diseases, teenage pregnancy and infertility Debt Loss of friends Drink driving, loss of licence Criminal offences. Foetal Alcohol Syndrome
Signs of Substance Misuse Performance at work Behaviour Evidence of substance misuse
Signs of Substance Misuse: Performance Absenteeism and sickness Poor time keeping Decrease in quantity of work Unexpectedly poor quality of work Unusual number of mistakes, misjudgments or accidents
Signs of Substance Misuse: Behaviour Mood changes Instability or aggression Confusion Fluctuations in concentration and energy Deteriorating relationships with colleagues Slurred speech Deteriorating personal hygiene Dishonesty & theft
Signs of Substance Misuse: Evidence of Misuse Torn cigarette paper wrappings Twists of square paper (for holding powder) Syringes, needles and needle caps Scorched items of tin foil and matchbox covers Scorched spoons Small mirrors, razor blades, straws Small stamps with unusual picture
Evidence of Substance Misuse
The Legal Position Health & Safety at Work Act 1974 The Management of H&S at Work Regs 1992 The Road Traffic Act 1988 The Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Production, supply & possession
The Tata Steel Europe Policy on Alcohol & Substance Misuse UK businesses A health & safety initiative Accompanied by a training programme: employees, managers, OH staff, H&S and TU reps
The Tata Steel Europe Policy Applies to all personnel, including contractors Applies to drugs listed in the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971 Also applies to any substance, including alcohol, known to affect judgement and increase the tendency to irrational and/or antisocial behaviour Does not apply to tobacco and medically prescribed drugs
The Aim of the Policy To prevent alcohol and substance misuse and it s consequences, amongst all employees and other personnel engaged by the company, in order that the risks of misuse can be controlled.
The Objectives of the Policy To safeguard and support the workforce To reduce the effects of drugs and alcohol-related problems on employees and the wider community To protect personnel from risks which may result from alcohol and substance misuse To encourage those with problems to come forward voluntarily and seek assistance, by offering rehabilitation and counselling to those with alcohol/substance related problems
Key Features of the Policy Support for employees: referral, counselling, rehabilitation Education and training for all employees, especially prevention of problems Guidance to ensure that the policy is effectively and consistently implemented Testing for alcohol & substance misuse
Key Features of the Policy No consumption of alcohol on Tata steel premises Works rules will apply to those under the influence Disciplinary action will depend on the seriousness/ circumstances & willingness to undergo treatment
Employee Support Prevention of issues by encouraging individuals to seek help Occupational Health support Counselling under supervision of occupational health Rehabilitation programme, normally with formal contract Redeployment for safety critical jobs
Testing Pre-employment (substance misuse only) Due cause As part of an individual s rehabilitation programme
What Situations Would Require a Due-cause Test? Where the behaviour of any individual gives cause for concern Where an incident occurs and alcohol or substance impairment is a potential contributory factor eg. Accidents Where safe working procedure s are not followed Unexplained slips, trips or falls Gross errors of judgement Irrational behaviour A due-cause test should not take place where an incident has occurred due to plant failure
Test Procedures Alcohol Evidential breathalyser Substances Urine test 2 stages: Near donor; if not negative, laboratory confirmation
Near Donor test Instant test on urine Different panels of drugs available Only a screening test Any non-negative tests must be confirmed by further analysis
Near Donor Tests NDT Kit sealed with all paperwork Specimen checked for temperature and adulterants Result read after 5 minutes by removing privacy strip
Chain of Custody All equipment guaranteed clean: no drugs Donated specimen linked to donor Safeguards against external contamination - tamperproof and tamper evident seals Secure transfer and specimen reception Quality assured secure laboratory procedures with maintenance of linkage throughout process Secure results provision to medical review officer
Types of results from a Due Cause Test Negative Not guilty, you re clear Non-negative Showing something untoward but we need a laboratory confirmation Positive Confirmed that an illegal drug has been detected or over the legal alcohol limit
Thank you