The use of any drugs, including alcohol, synthetic substances, illicit or non-illicit drugs and some medications, can affect safe work practices and lead to social and cultural issues.
People who use these types of substances may experience periods of altered memory, lack of concentration or impaired coordination which can delay reaction times and increase the risk of accident and injury – not just to themselves, but to those around them. Ensuring that drug and alcohol use and impairment are managed effectively in the workplace involves several components:
- an effective drug and alcohol policy
- testing programs
- worker education
- awareness of current legislation and regulations
- knowledge of the ever-changing substance market.
With any substance use and misuse, maintaining workplace safety remains the number one priority to ensure that all workers can perform their duties effectively without impairment. The key to meeting the challenge of substance use and misuse is workplace education on the dangers of all drugs and fostering a zero tolerance approach to anything that places workers’ health and safety at risk.
Across the NSW coal industry, employers have drug and alcohol policies and procedures in place which prohibit the use of illegal substances. These programs aim to discourage drug use within the NSW coal industry.
CS Health has been conducting drug and alcohol screening and education since 1996 using urine screening methods. We also assist with updating company drug and alcohol policies on request. Advice regarding synthetic drug screening is also available.
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