Establishing a drug-free workplace policy is a critical step in protecting the safety and health of your employees while mitigating risk. Businesses pay a high price for alcohol and drug abuse, with costs that can include increased accidents, higher rates of injuries and fatalities, property damage, and lost productivity. These substance abuse-related issues create an unsafe work environment that threatens the well-being of all employees and can lead to significant financial and legal liabilities for employers.
While OSHA does not have a specific standard for drug-free workplaces, they strongly support measures that contribute to a drug-free environment, particularly in safety-sensitive positions. Under the General Duty Clause, Section 5(a)(1) of the OSH Act, employers have a fundamental responsibility to provide a workplace free from recognized hazards that are causing or are likely to cause death or serious physical harm. An impaired employee is considered a recognized hazard that falls under this clause.
A comprehensive drug-free workplace program is typically built upon five core components to effectively address substance abuse. These components include a clear, written policy that outlines prohibited behaviors and consequences, and robust employee education to inform workers about the dangers of substance abuse. The program also requires supervisor training to help managers recognize the signs of substance use and intervene appropriately, as well as access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to provide confidential support and resources.