OCC/General/TBT-OCC-006

Drug and Alcohol Awareness

Occupational Health › General › Drug and Alcohol Awareness

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Drug and alcohol misuse is a significant safety concern on construction sites where impaired workers operate plant and work at height.
Most major contractors enforce a zero-tolerance policy — any worker found under the influence is removed from site immediately.
Random and for-cause drug and alcohol testing is standard practice on UK construction sites under CDM and company policies.
Alcohol affects judgement, balance, coordination, and reaction times — all critical abilities for safe construction work.
Illegal drugs, prescription medication misuse, and novel psychoactive substances all impair ability to work safely.
Prescription medications including painkillers, anti-anxiety drugs, and antihistamines can affect alertness and coordination.
A worker under the influence endangers not only themselves but every colleague working around them on site.
Morning-after alcohol impairment is a hidden risk — workers may still be over the limit from the previous evening's drinking.
Support is available through occupational health services, employee assistance programmes, and confidential helplines.
Creating a culture where seeking help for substance issues is supported, not punished, encourages workers to come forward early.

Impaired workers kill	A plant operator or steelworker under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a lethal risk to themselves and everyone nearby.
Zero tolerance	Most construction sites enforce zero-tolerance policies — a positive test results in immediate removal and potential dismissal.
Support available	Substance misuse is often linked to underlying stress, pain, or mental health — confidential support helps workers recover.

Don't

Follow the site drug and alcohol policy and understand the consequences of breach.
Arrive for work fit for duty — free from the effects of alcohol and drugs.
Check whether prescription medications affect your ability to work safely on site.
Inform your supervisor if medication may impair your alertness or coordination.
Cooperate with random and for-cause drug and alcohol testing when requested.
Seek support from occupational health or your employee assistance programme.
Look out for signs of impairment in colleagues and report concerns to a supervisor.
Ensure you allow enough time after drinking alcohol for it to leave your system.
Support colleagues who seek help — overcoming substance issues takes courage.
Attend drug and alcohol awareness sessions when offered on your project.

DON'T arrive on site under the influence of alcohol, illegal drugs, or impairing substances.
DON'T assume you are fit for work the morning after heavy drinking.
DON'T take prescription medication that impairs you without informing your supervisor.
DON'T hide the effects of medication — alertness and coordination are safety-critical.
DON'T refuse drug and alcohol testing — refusal is typically treated as a positive result.
DON'T suffer in silence — confidential support services exist to help you.
DON'T ignore signs of impairment in a colleague — reporting may save their life.
DON'T drink alcohol during breaks or on site at any time during the working day.
DON'T stigmatise colleagues who seek help — creating a supportive culture saves lives.
DON'T assume the policy does not apply to you — it covers everyone on site equally.

See also: Occupational Health Awareness | Mental Health and Wellbeing on Site

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