Drugs and alcohol

The Covid-19 pandemic is behind the rise in reports of drugs and alcohol use in the workplace – and with the rise of homeworking, the problem is only set to get worse. This video explores what safety professionals can do to keep on top of drug and alcohol use at work.


The pandemic has increased the number of employees misusing drugs and alcohol. We explore what this means for safety at work, and what IOSH members can do to keep on top of the problem.

Despite the relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions around the world, vigilance remains essential when it comes to safety and hygiene in the workplace. So how can employers safely reinstate or introduce drug and alcohol screening without compromising covid safety?

The United Nations (UN) is calling on private sector employers to put in place measures that help prevent domestic abuse and invest resources that better protect and support employees who are victims of domestic abuse.

People who have sustained serious workplace injuries are at increased risk of suicide or fatal overdose, according to a study published in the American Journal of Industrial Medicine.

Driving case law

Around 850,000 people work in safety-sensitive industries in Australia. SafeWork Laboratories toxicologist Andrew Leibie said the latest figure indicated at least 18,500 workers could be operating under the influence of the hard drug, known as crystal meth or ice in its most potent form. He added that the figure could be much higher because many workplaces did not test for drug use.Workers who could be operating machinery or driving a vehicle would have impaired senses, the report warns, and would pose a risk to their own safety and the safety of co-workers.

Besides age-related hearing loss (presbycusis), environmental factors can have an impact too. Noise is the most obvious occupational one, but exposure to some substances, known as ototoxins, may harm our hearing or compound the damage noise causes.

Ambulance Victoria pleaded guilty to failing to provide a safe working environment and failing to ensure volunteer officers were not exposed to risks under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004. The organisation was fined A$200,000 (£113,500) on each charge at Warrnambool Magistrates’ Court on 8 March.