WORKPLACE SUBSTANCE USE, THE RISK OF OCCUPATIONAL INJURY, AND TESTING

Over the past 20 years, the "workplace substance abuse prevention industry" has grown enormously in size and has become more sophisticated in its marketing approach. Drug testing alone has become a $6 billion industry. Employee assistance programs are now widely used by employers at significant cost. This thesis presents a brief review of drug use patterns as related to occupational injuries together with a history of workplace testing. Results from studies suggest that drug-free workplace programs are an important public health approach to improving workplace health and safety through early intervention and, quite possibly, substance abuse prevention

Incidence of Substance Abuse in the Workplace

A survey of employers' attitudes regarding the prevalence of drugs in the workplace, how employee drug use impacts their firm, and the effectiveness of company policies to treat and prevent employee substance abuse

Review of local alcohol harm reduction strategies in Cheshire and Merseyside

This report reviews local alcohol strategies in Cheshire and Merseyside.ChaMPs Public Health Networ

Managers’ attitudes to illicit drug testing in the workplace

The aim of this study was to collect data regarding managers’ views on the need to introduce drug testing at work and on the employment prospects of illicit drug users by means of a self administered questionnaire. A slight majority of managers (258, 56.5%) favoured the introduction of pre-employment drug testing with a smaller proportion (219, 47.9%) in favour of testing during employment. Practically none of the respondents (1.1%) was willing to employ a current illicit drug user and less than half (41.6%) were willing to employ a person with a past history of drug use. An increased willingness was noted among managers of younger age groups and in larger companies to employ past drug users. These results indicate that there is the possibility that work place drug testing may be used as a tool to discriminate against workers suffering from drug abuse rather than to offer opportunities for rehabilitation of the individual. The findings highlight the urgent need for the establishment of guidelines to be followed during drug testing in Malta by the appropriate statutory authority, since suitable legislation is absent.peer-reviewe

Mental Health in the Workplace: Situation Analyses, United States

Mental illness constitutes one of the world\u27s most critical and social health problems. It affects more human lives and wastes more human resources than any other disabling condition. The ILO’s activities promote the inclusion of persons with physical, psychiatric and intellectual disabilities into mainstream training and employment structures. The ILO’s primary goals regarding disability are to prepare and empower people with disabilities to pursue their employment goals and facilitate access to work and job opportunities in open labour markets, while sensitising policy makers, trade unions and employers to these issues. The ILO\u27s mandate on disability issues is specified in the ILO Convention 159 (1983) on vocational rehabilitation and employment. No. 159 defines a disabled person as an individual whose prospects of securing, retaining, and advancing in suitable employment are substantially reduced as a result of a duly recognised physical or mental impairment. The Convention established the principle of equal treatment and employment for workers with disabilities

Populations Experiencing Homelessness: Diverse Barriers to Employment and How to Address Them

People experience homelessness for many reasons including financial insecurity, a lack of affordable housing, and difficulty accessing services such as medical care. Effective employment programs take special care when serving individuals facing these barriers. This best practice brief outlines the common employment barriers for these populations and provides considerations for tailoring employment services and prioritizing supportive services to best meet their needs

Lessons Learned: Solutions for Workplace Safety and Health

Provides case studies of workplace health hazards, regulatory actions taken, and solutions, including product and design alternatives; a synthesis of findings and lessons learned; and federal- and state-level recommendations