Transcript ASBESTOS AWARENESS

ALCOHOL & DRUGS WORKSHOP
- INTRODUCTION
- A HEALTH AND SAFETY PERSPECTIVE
Ian Dandy MSc, CMIOSH, MIIRSM, MIOA, AMIEMA, MaPS, CFPA (Europe) Dip
Chartered Safety and Health Practitioner
EXTENT OF THE PROBLEM?
According to the British Crime Survey:• Half of young people between 16-29 have
used illegal drugs in last 12 months!
• 70% of misusers currently in full time
employment.
• A substance misuser is 3.6 times more likely to
be involved in an accident.
DRUGS/ALCOHOL RELATED ABSENTEEISM?
According to Health Care Connections
drug/ alcohol abuse:• Accounts for 5% of all absences from work.
• Equates to 17-18 million lost working days/ year.
• This costs UK industry £4.1 billion/year....
This is only the ‘tip of the iceberg’....
SUBSTANCE MISUSE – ESTIMATED TOTAL COSTS?
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Absenteeism.
Ill health.
Poor performance.
Compensation.
Criminal activity.
TOTAL COSTS TO UK INDUSTRY?
£12-16 BILLION!!!
• So, we do have a problem!
WHAT ARE THE LEGAL OBLIGATIONS?
• Obligations under Health and Safety at Work
etc Act 1974.
– Duty to employees
– Duty to non employees
• Could a company be prosecuted if an accident
occurred due to drug/alcohol abuse?
CORPORATE MANSLAUGHTER AND
CORPORATE HOMICIDE ACT 2007
Companies and organisations can be found
guilty as a result of:• Serious management failures
Resulting in....
• Gross breach of Duty of Care.
CAN AN INDIVIDUAL BE PROSECUTED?
Where ‘Corporate Body’ commits offence:If the offence is due to:• Consent
• Connivance
• Neglect
of Director, Company Secretary or other officer.
INDIVIDUAL may be prosecuted as well as
CORPORATE BODY (Section 37).
WHAT ARE THE IMPLICATIONS? –
COULD WE BE SUED?!!
• DUTY OF CARE
– Safe place of work
– Safe plant/equipment
– Competent fellow workers
• VICARIOUS LIABILITY
– Employer ‘carries can’ if 3rd party injured by employee!!
WHAT SHOULD A COMPANY AIM TO ACHIEVE?
TO:• PREVENT the risk to employees, contractors, customers and
the public.
• PROTECT the health and welfare of employees.
• PREVENT the damaging effects of alcohol and drugs on good
business performance.
• COMPLY with the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
• MEET or exceed the expectations of our customers and
clients.
• PROTECT the good reputation of our company.
ATG CAN PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING SERVICES
• PREPARATION OF ALCOHOL & DRUGS POLICY
– As part of Health and Safety Policy Manual
– As ‘stand alone’ Policy Manual
• EMPLOYEE AWARENESS TRAINING
– On the health and safety implications
• EMPLOYEE MONITORING/SCREENING
– Pre employment/routine
– Non routine/post incident
HOWEVER ........
WHAT ARE THE DIFFICULTIES FOR AN EMPLOYER?
• HOW CAN I LEGALLY INTRODUCE A POLICY?
• HOW CAN I RECOGNISE THE SHORT TERM EFFECTS – HOW WOULD
I KNOW IF MY EMPLOYEES ARE HABITUAL USERS?
– Ron Flowers - Ron Flowers Training will give us all the answers!
• HOW CAN I EDUCATE/ASSIST MY EMPLOYEES AND PROVIDE
REHABILITATION STRATEGIES?
AND FINALLY....
....an early Christmas present...
A bespoke Alcohol & Drugs Policy for your
Company
– free of charge*
*completed forms must be left with us today
Any Questions