Quarter of workplace accidents due to alcohol

A QUARTER of all workplace accidents can be attributed to alcohol, so says a revealing study by a leading insurance group, the Royal & Sun Alliance (RSA). The study has been welcomed by Grendonstar, a specialist independent consultancy that focuses on the subject of drugs and alcohol at work.

Commenting on the RSA’s findings, Simon Truelove, a consultant at Grendonstar, said: ‘Our own research has shown that a regular drug or alcohol user is 3.6 times more likely to be involved in an accident at work, three times more likely to have sick leave, five times more likely to claim compensation, can be 33% less productive and is 10 times more likely to be late.

‘With the new 24h opening law, for instance, it is very possible that employees will arrive at work still under the influence of alcohol without even being aware of it and certainly unaware of the increased risk of an accident at work.

‘The work that we are carrying out has shown that a positively applied, welfare-based substance-abuse policy can be introduced quickly and efficiently as part of an ongoing health and safety initiative to safeguard against these problems.’

Combining staff welfare and employee welfare issues with the need to meet current health and safety legislation is a tried and tested approach used by Grendonstar, based on a positive philosophy that both educates and motivates staff while providing invaluable assistance to management. Following consultation at all levels, a corporate policy can be developed and publicized.

As part of this process, a programme of awareness and training is created for all employees, and those with problems are encouraged to seek help. According to Grendonstar, accidents, lateness and absenteeism can all be reduced, and productivity and staff morale can be greatly improved.

Management training is also provided and, once implemented, the policy can be monitored and procedures amended on an ongoing basis using Grendonstar’s specially developed Key Performance Indicators.

For further information contact Simon Truelove on tel: (0161) 445 1199; fax: (0116) 445 1155.