Eliminating alcohol-related workplace accidents

A study by insurance firm Royal and Sun Alliance has found that a quarter of workplace accidents can be attributed to alcohol.

The findings have been welcomed by Manchester, UK-based Grendonstar, specialist consultants on the subject of drugs and alcohol at work.

Simon Truelove, consultant at Grendonstar, argues: 'A regular drug or alcohol user is 3.6 times more likely to be involved in an accident at work, is, 5 times more likely to claim compensation, can be 33% less productive and is 10 times more likely to be late.'

'The work that we are carrying out', Truelove continued, '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.'

Grendonstar assesses the risks associated with drug and alcohol misuse within businesses and can evaluate current resources, culture and attitudes. Following consultation at all levels, a corporate policy can then be developed and publicised.