Last updated : November 11, 2024
In some industries, occasional on-the-job injuries are all but inevitable. That’s why employers and the government enact strict safety regulations. Following these rules keeps everyone safe.
That’s why so many employers are instituting drug free workplace policies. They recognize that employees who are under the influence pose a serious safety risk. In fact, recent statistics show that 20% of Atlanta employees who received an on-the-job injury subsequently tested positive for drug use. It isn’t too much of a stretch to suppose that most, if not all, of those injuries could have been prevented if the workers had been tested for drug use prior to the accident.
Several things must occur for a drug free workplace policy to be effective. A written policy should be posted prominently, and a copy should be made available to each employee upon hiring. Annual training that covers the main tenets of the policy is indispensable. However, even the most thorough policy is relatively ineffective without drug testing to back it up.
It’s one thing to tell an employee that drug use won’t be tolerated on the job site, and another to actually test employees to see if they are breaking the rules. The fact that 20% of injured workers in Atlanta alone were under the influence of drugs at work shows that employees don’t always take a drug free workplace policy seriously.
Responsible employers owe a duty to their employees to create the safest working environment possible. Doing so not only assures that everyone can perform their job to the best of their ability, but also it protects the company’s bottom line. Sober workers call in sick less often, are more productive and generally cost the employer a great deal less money.
Getting started with drug testing is easy. It’s also more affordable than most employers realize, especially since it saves a great deal of time and money over the long run. The U.S. Department of Labor has found that most workplace accidents are caused by employees who are under the influence. The same study also says that American employers shell out about $81 billion annually because of abuse of illegal and prescription drugs as well as alcohol. Employers who turn a blind eye to possible drug use on the job and after hours are putting themselves and their employees at considerable risk. With random drug testing, employers safeguard their business venture and protect their workers.
