Alcohol and Other Drugs in the Workplace
Alcohol and other drug use presents a significant burden to the community and as such signals a major public health concern. The workplace brings together people in society and reflects general health problems. The workplace does present particular challenges due to the potential for serious harms - including social and financial costs resulting from accidents, injuries and productivity losses. Alcohol or other drug harm in the workplace setting impacts on many groups including government, service providers, employers, employees and their co-workers, carers and families, and the social and financial costs are borne across the community.
It is estimated that:
- alcohol is a contributing factor in approximately 6% of work-related fatalities in South Australia
- other drugs contribute to approximately 3% of work-related fatalities in South Australia
- alcohol is associated with approximately 3-11% of work-related injuries nationally
- alcohol and other drugs result in costs from lost productivity and absenteeism of over $2.9 billion
- drug-related workplace accidents cost approximately $1.3 billion - half of which is borne by employers
- each year over 4% of Australians go to work affected by alcohol
- each year approximately 2% of Australians go to work affected by illicit drugs
- approximately 6% of Australians report their usual place of alcohol consumption is their workplace
While alcohol and other drug consumption may occur at the workplace, it is important to remember that harms resulting from use can arise from use which occurs outside the workplace (e.g. before or after work, during breaks etc). As such, attention should be directed toward reducing the harms arising from all alcohol and other drug use which impacts on the workplace.
Recent South Australian research has shown that most workplaces utilise a drug and alcohol policy as their first level response to alcohol and other drug related harm. This research also found that workplaces implement a variety of specific strategies including employee assistance programs, health promotion activities and controls on use.
Before implementing any strategy, extensive consultation should be undertaken with all those likely to be affected. It is important that strategies to address alcohol and other drug related harm are situated within a comprehensive occupational health and safety framework.
Links
The Australian Drug Foundation, in partnership with the Alcohol Education & Rehabilitation Foundation and the Victorian Government, have developed a website specifically aimed at alcohol and work. The Alcohol and Work website provides information for employers and employees.
SafeWork SA (formerly Workplace Services) is responsible for administering industrial relations legislation and managing all occupational health, safety and welfare functions in South Australia (including some functions previously managed by WorkCover). Their primary role is to promote and encourage safe, fair and productive working lives in South Australia by working with employers, employees, unions and industry representatives.
Guidelines for addressing alcohol and other drugs in the workplace
The impact of alcohol and other drugs in the workplace
Further information and resources about alcohol and other drugs:
back to top
