DRUG & ALCOHOL IMPAIRMENT IN THE WORKPLACE. WHAT IS IMPAIRMENT ? “A DETERIORATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S JUDGEMENT AND DECREASE IN THEIR PHYSICAL ABILITY.

DRUG & ALCOHOLIMPAIRMENT

IN THE WORKPLACE

WHAT IS IMPAIRMENT ?

“A DETERIORATION OF AN INDIVIDUAL’S JUDGEMENT AND DECREASE IN THEIR PHYSICAL ABILITY TO COMPLETE A TASK”.

Why test for drugs / alcohol at work?

• The use of drugs and alcohol, even if consumed outside the workplace, can lead to:

• impairment while at work•  poor concentration•  carelessness•  risk-taking behaviour •  errors in judgement

4

ALCOHOL

Alcohol Effects and Signs

• Odor (breath or on person)

• Intoxication/drunk

• Glazed look

• Lack of focus

• Uncharacteristically passive or combative

• Argumentative

• Deterioration of personal hygiene• And….

Alcohol

. Dysfunctional behavior

• Poor coordination• Blackouts

• Loss of memory

• Slow reaction time• Trouble with relationships

• Difficulty walking• Violence

Drugs in the workplace

The most common drugs found in the workplace are:

• Alcohol

• Cannabis 

• Herbal highs / Synthetics

• Methamphetamine (P or Ice)

• Prescription drugs

Figures show cannabis continues to be the most frequent drug detected, showing up in 71 % of non-negative tests nationwide last year.

NEW ZEALAND  

CANNABIS USE

20% of the population

‘P’ USERS

Per Head of Population2nd in the world.

9

Marijuana/Cannabis

.

RMG OSH Level 3 – March 2015. 10

Effects after Smoking Cannabis  Glassy, shiny, red eyes

Lack of perception of time/space

Can fall asleep quickly

Logic & memory loss

Hunger

Prolonged laughing at anything

Slow mental & physical reactions

Prescription Medication

Prescription Drugs

REMEMBER• Prescription Drugs Are Covered By HSE Act! 

Most common:CodeineMorphineRitalin Anti- depressants 

14

METHAMPHETAMINE

Tendency to be very hyperactive in movement and speech

Very excitable and euphoric, increased wakefulness, insomnia 

Nausea, dry mouth, hot flushes, sweating, highly emotional and irritable

Continuous scratching, often going to bathroom to wet face so as to cool down

Burns on fingers, scabs

Hiding from people, nervousness

SIGNS OF USE

What can affect how long a drug stays in their body?

• Results of drug tests are always unique to the person who was tested

• Drugs affect people differently

These include:• the strength of the drug• how much of it they use• how they use it (e.g. drunk, smoked, injected)• how often they use it• what other drugs they use 

What Does Your Drug Policy Say?

Testing for impairment?• IMPAIRMENT AT WORK!

It is not saying you are• CONTROLLING THEIR LIFE

But it is implementing a process to ensure your staff are safer at work.