The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), in partnership with Draeger Safety UK, has published a new best practice guide to help UK employers tackle the growing issue of drink and drug misuse in the workplace.
Released today, A Best Practice Guide for Managing Drink and Drug Misuse in the Workplace and when Driving for Work outlines practical steps for organisations to manage impairment risks, improve safety, and meet legal obligations.
The guide provides a step-by-step framework for developing workplace policies and introducing and conducting fair and confidential impairment testing programmes. It also highlights the impact of alcohol and drug use in UK workplaces and the risks posed, especially for safety critical roles such as those involving the operation of heavy machinery or when driving for work. Substance misuse, including alcohol, illegal drugs, as well as some prescription medications, poses serious risks to workplace safety, productivity, and public health.
It is estimated that 40% of industrial accidents at work are linked to substance abuse, and alcohol misuse alone is estimated to cost the UK economy over £7bn annually. Meanwhile, Dräger’s research, undertaken for its annual Dräger Safety and Health at Work report, indicates that 83% of workers support drug and alcohol testing at work, reflecting growing awareness of the issue and support for proactive safety measures. This is set in the context that 78 per cent of managers surveyed said that their organisation had concerns about workplace impairment (and resulting injuries/accidents) due to alcohol, drugs and prescribed medications such as antidepressants.
The best practice guide recommends a combination of education, consent-based testing, and rehabilitation support, and also outlines modern technologies for screening and testing, such as saliva and breath testing, as well as alcohol interlock systems, which, once installed in a vehicle, rely on a negative breath test to allow the engine to start.The legal frameworks that employers must navigate are also referenced in the guide, including the Health and Safety at Work Act and UK General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).
Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, said: “Substance misuse isn’t just a personal issue; it’s a workplace safety risk, and it’s on the rise. Whether it’s alcohol, illegal drugs or prescription medication, impairment can have devastating consequences. This guide helps employers take practical, fair steps to protect their staff and the public.”
Mark Burrup, Drug and Alcohol Testing Expert at Draeger Safety UK, adds: “Today’s workplace testing technologies are highly advanced and designed to be discreet and non-invasive, typically involving a quick saliva swab and/or a single breath sample into a breathalyser to indicate whether an employee has taken drugs or alcohol. These simple testing processes make implementation of pre-employment, random or for-cause testing straightforward for employers. In our experience, such programmes are well-received by employees as they understand that these measures play a vital role in maintaining a safe and responsible working environment for everyone.”
Aimed at HR departments, fleet managers, and health and safety professionals across all sectors, the guide is free to download on the RoSPA and Dräger websites. It is also available via the Scottish Occupational Road Safety Alliance (ScORSA), a RoSPA initiative supported by the Scottish government helping businesses to manage occupational road risk.