Risk assessment from the perspective of preventive substance abuse work
Considering hazards and risk situations in advance is always more profitable than choosing methods in an acute situation or repairing damage after it has already been done. Considering risks will prevent the majority of substance abuse and resulting consequences at the workplace. When we consider the risks of substance abuse in our own work at the workplace, we become more aware of the effects of substance use on our work and the consequences for ourselves.
When conducting a workplace risk assessment, attention should also be paid to how substance abuse may increase certain risks and hazards at the workplace and in work tasks. In the sectors of transport, health care and industry, it goes without saying that working while intoxicated is a safety issue for both the employee and other members of the community and society. In every job, the use of substances is harmful to the work. Judgment and decision-making are impaired, impulsivity increases and people who are under the influence of substances can do things they would not otherwise do. It is the duty of the employee to arrive to work sober, for their own health and safety and of others. It is the employer’s duty to ensure that substance abuse is addressed and reacted to at the workplace. If an employee comes to work intoxicated, the employer must intervene.