Employee Substance Abuse Awareness & Prevention by DOL&I PA
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This document discusses substance abuse in Pennsylvania workplaces. It notes that around 75% of drug users are employed, and almost 10% of employees have a substance abuse problem. Substance abuse leads to increased costs from health care, workers compensation, and workplace violence. Implementing Employee Substance Abuse Awareness and Prevention programs (ESAAPs) can help by sending a message that drug and alcohol use is prohibited and encouraging employees to seek help. However, only 20% of Pennsylvania employers currently plan to address substance abuse, though that number rises to 65% if premium discounts are offered. ESAAPs have been shown to reduce accidents and absenteeism in some companies.
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Employee Substance Abuse Awareness & Prevention by DOL&I PA
- 1. PPT-060-01 1 Drug-Free Workplaces in PA Employee Substance Abuse Awareness & Prevention (ESAAP)
- 2. PPT-060-01 2 The Unseen Reality Think PA’s workplaces are drug free? Think again. • 75% of drug users are employed • Almost one in ten employees has a substance abuse problem • 24% of workers admit to drinking during the workday at least once in the past year • 15% of U.S. workers report using alcohol or being impaired on the job in the past year
- 3. PPT-060-01 3 The Cost of Substance Abuse • Increased Health Care Costs • Increased Workers’ Compensation Premiums • Increased Workplace Violence
- 4. PPT-060-01 4 Substance Abuse • Individuals who abuse drugs or alcohol are three and a half times more likely to be involved in a workplace accident compared to individuals who do not abuse drugs or alcohol • 47% of industrial injuries are directly related to alcohol abuse or alcoholism
- 5. PPT-060-01 5 Reasons for Not Implementing ESAAPs REALITY = • Substance abuse is not a problem • Insufficient time to develop & maintain a policy • The policy would be too costly • Too much uncertainty about liability • Lack of information
- 6. PPT-060-01 6 • Only 1 out of every 5 Pennsylvania employers plans to address substance abuse in the workplace. • The number increased to 2 out of every 3 when workers’ compensation premium discounts were mentioned.* *While PA presently has no provisions for granting financial consideration for implementing an ESAAP, this may be legislatively addressed in the future Incentive to Implement ESAAPs
- 7. PPT-060-01 7 • Southern Pacific Railroad reports after they implemented an ESAAP accidents dropped by 71%. • One electric supply company documents a 39% decrease in absenteeism after implementation of an ESAAP. ESAAP is an Effective Solution
- 8. PPT-060-01 8 When someone has an addiction or abuses alcohol and other drugs it affects themselves as well as other people around them: • Emotionally • Behaviorally • Physically Substance Abuse
- 9. PPT-060-01 9 Emotional Effects • Aggression • Burnout • Anxiety • Depression • Paranoia • Denial
- 10. PPT-060-01 10 Behavioral Effects Slow reaction time Impaired coordination Slowed or slurred speech Irritability Excessive talking Inability to sit still Limited attention span Poor motivation or lack of energy
- 11. PPT-060-01 11 Physical Effects Common performance problems may include: Poor attendance - Tardiness - Unexplained absences - Long lunches Co-workers or customer complaints Mistakes Missed deadlines
- 12. PPT-060-01 12 Drugs of Abuse • Alcohol • Marijuana • Inhalants • Stimulants • Depressants • Narcotics • Hallucinogens • Designer Drugs • Over the counter (OTC)
- 13. PPT-060-01 13 Drug-Free Workplace Policy Accomplishes two major things: 1. Sends a clear message that use of alcohol and drugs in the workplace is prohibited 2. Encourages employees who have problems with alcohol and other drugs to voluntarily seek help
- 14. PPT-060-01 14 Elements of ESAAP’s
- 15. PPT-060-01 15 A Safer, Drug-Free Workplace • Recognize the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on the workplace • Understand and follow the Drug-Free Workplace Policy • Know the types of assistance available • Access DOL’s Working Partners Web Site www.dol.gov/workingpartners
- 16. PPT-060-01 16 Additional Resources To assist you in your program development, you can contact us for your own PowerPoint copy of: 1. “Drug & Alcohol Awareness-Employee” and 2. “Drug & Alcohol Awareness-Supervisor” Department of Labor and Industry Bureau of Workers’ Compensation Email: RA-LI-BWC-Safety@pa.gov Phone: (717) 772-1635
- 17. PPT-060-01 17 PA Training for Health and Safety PATHS is a “no fee” state-wide service providing Pennsylvania employers and employees with coordinated Health and Safety resources through easy access and affordability PATHS
- 18. PPT-060-01 18 At the PATHS Website you can: View . . . Health & Safety Training PowerPoint briefings Access “Safety Talks” (Toolbox Talks) Review . . . Course descriptions, objectives, and schedules Employers can register online to participate in webinars and training sessions. Most sessions are free and are open to everyone PATHS
- 19. PPT-060-01 19 PATHS To Access PATHS www.dli.state.pa.us/PATHS or www.dli.state.pa.us – “Workers Compensation” icon – Health & Safety Division – PATHS
- 20. Questions PPT-060-01 20 Health & Safety Training Specialists 1171 South Cameron Street, Room 324 Harrisburg, PA 17104-2501 (717) 772-1635 RA-LI-BWC-PATHS@pa.gov Like us on Facebook! - https://www.facebook.com/BWCPATHS
Editor's Notes
- Substance abuse in the workplace or from home which invades the workplace will have adverse effects on the safety of the user as well as coworkers. Such abuse leads to injuries and fatalities each year in the workplace with devastating results. The impact is not only on the workers but also on the liabilities of the industry with lost workers, lost production and negative reputation of the industry.
- The stereotype many people have of substance abusers probably calls to mind drug dealers, prostitutes, the homeless, and various unsavory elements of the criminal community. Most Americans might even protest when confronted with the statistic that almost 75% of drug users are employed. Whether the public is willing to acknowledge the problem or not, it is a reality that substance abuse is impacting workplaces across the nation, and Pennsylvania is no exception to the rule. In fact, the statistics surrounding the effects of drug and alcohol use in the workplace are so compelling that failing to take any action against the problem is as good as condoning substance abuse.
- Substance abuse can have a significant impact on a business in a variety of ways from an increase in workers’ compensation premiums to an increase in workplace violence. In 2008, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reported $276 billion dollars were spent on substance abuse disorders in a single year. The majority of this resulted from an increase in the amount spent on healthcare as well as lost work productivity. Healthcare costs for individuals with substance abuse issues are often twice the amount of sober employees. Even when an employee is not actively abusing substances at the worksite, their impaired actions off the clock can still have a negative impact on their employer. For example, consider that almost half of emergency room visits due to trauma are alcohol related. Increased utilization of emergent and urgent care facilities can dramatically increase an employers’ overall health insurance expenditures. The Council of Alcohol and Drugs reports substance abuse related revenue losses can cost a company as much as $1000 per employee per year.
- Employees who suffer from substance abuse problems are notoriously more accident prone than their colleagues. Impaired staff are a danger to both themselves and others and can create expensive issues of liability for their employers. Substance abuse can be categorized as an avoidable workplace hazard. Reducing the instance of substance abuse in the workplace makes the workplace safer, increases employee morale, improves employee health, reduces the burden substance abuse has on the community, and improves a business’ productivity, profit margin, and reputation. Employers don’t need to let drugs and alcohol threaten their bottom line and put their employees at risk. Similar to workplace safety programs, prevention through education is the key to reducing risk and realizing success.
- Given the overwhelming amount of evidence that substance abuse is present in the workplace and already costing employers money, it is difficult to understand why the implementation of an ESAAP (Employee Substance Abuse Awareness Program) is not more widely adopted. Franklin & Marshall explored this conundrum in a 2011 survey of Pennsylvania employers. The slide depicts the top five reasons why employers have not instituted an ESAAP in their workplace. Based on available statistics, the reasons noted are predicated on multiple misconceptions. When substance abuse affects a minimum of seven percent of workers, it is unlikely that any employer can avoid encountering the problem at some point in their line of business.
- The incentive to implement an ESAAP program was found in the results of comparative studies. Only 1 out of every 5 Pennsylvania employers plans to address substance abuse in the workplace. The number increased to 2 out of every 3 when workers’ compensation premium discounts were mentioned.
- Many might question whether workplace interventions relying on employee education alone are effective. Studies reviewing the impact of several workplace based employee education programs have demonstrated statistically significant positive outcome results in a variety of targeted areas including substance abuse, safety, obesity, and stress, as well as many other health and safety foci. Efforts to determine whether awareness programs that emphasize linking workers in need to rehabilitation resources demonstrate an increase of 25% in adherence to company substance abuse policies and a retention of the main elements of the awareness programs of 69% in employees one year after the program was presented Another study compared the quit rate of tobacco abusers in employees engaging in a workplace awareness program versus workers who attempted to quit on their own. The study noted a quit rate of 32% in employees supported by workplace awareness programs whereas the control group only manifested an 18% quit rate. Workplace based awareness programs work and employees know it. One 2011 poll documented most Pennsylvania employees working for employers with an ESAAP felt the program significantly helped reduce substance abuse in their workplace. The same poll noted that the majority of Pennsylvania employees working for employers without an ESAAP felt the adoption of such a program would significantly reduce substance abuse in the workplace.
- The following few slides are examples of each of the affects of substance abuse. A simple reminder that there are some medical conditions and or disabilities that may mimic these signs and symptoms and only a trained supervisor, human resources or professional if questions exists.
- Emotional effects of substance abuse may include: Aggression Burnout Anxiety Depression Paranoia and Denial
- Behavioral Effects include: Slow reaction time Impaired coordination Slowed or slurred speech Irritability Excessive talking Inability to sit still Limited attention span Poor motivation or lack of energy
- Physically, common performance problems may include: Poor attendance - Tardiness - Unexplained absences - Long lunches Co-workers or customer complaints Mistakes Missed deadlines
- All drugs, including alcohol, chemically alter the mind and body. As a result, use of drugs and/or alcohol can impair motor skills, hinder judgment, distort perception, decrease reaction time and interfere with other skills necessary to do a job safely and efficiently. Specific drugs of abuse include those listed on this slide, and all have their own set of signs and symptoms.
- The instituting of a Drug-free workplace policy accomplishes two (2) major things; It sends a clear message that such use in the workplace is prohibited, and It encourages employees with such problems to voluntarily seek help.
- The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services encourages employers to help prevent hazardous substance abuse related accidents in the workplace by implementing an Employee Substance Abuse Awareness Program or ESAAP. An ESAAP is a low cost high return intervention that any employer, big or small can easily implement. A typical ESAAP will incorporate all of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Service recommendations in a single cost effective intervention. The information provided in an ESAAP is not just for employees engaged in substance abuse; rather, it provides benefits for all participating workers. For example, if there is someone abusing drugs and alcohol in or out of the workplace, the chances are high that there is a sober employee covering for them. Instead of feeling compelled to continuously hide the truth about the coworker’s low productivity or absenteeism for fear of being responsible for the future of their coworker’s job, the staff member may feel inspired to help teach the other employee the options available to those who suffer from substance abuse. Studies have shown that employees of companies with an ESAAP are twice as likely to seek help for their addiction. Getting fired or suspended does not have to be the end result, but getting help can be.
- A means toward creating a safer, drug-free workplace will Recognize the impact of alcohol and drug abuse on the workplace and move to deal with it Cause staff and management to understand and follow such a policy Provide types of assistance available to those workers who need it Department of Labor’s Working Partners website may be accessed as shown above.
- To further assist in your program development, we can provide you with the free powerpoint programs: “Drug & Alcohol Awareness-Employee” and “Drug & Alcohol Awareness-Supervisor” At the email address above.
- PATHS is a “no fee” state-wide service providing Pennsylvania employers and employees with coordinated Health and Safety resources through easy access and affordability
- At the PATHS Website you can: View . . . Health & Safety Training PowerPoint briefings Access “Safety Talks” (Toolbox Talks) Review . . . Course descriptions, objectives, and schedules Employers can register online to participate in webinars and training sessions. Most sessions are free and are open to everyone
- The most direct means to access PATHS is through www.dli.state.pa.us/PATHS Or You can drill down through the layers under Workers’ Compensation
- If you would like additional information on programs or training we can provide Free, please feel invited to contact us.