Safety & Risk Management

Substance use is one of the leading factors in workplace accidents, injuries, and absences, posing serious risks to both employee well-being and overall business operations. Even when substance use doesn’t occur on the job, the effects can spill into the workplace. Impaired focus, reduced productivity, increased distraction, and slower reaction times heighten the risk of mistakes or accidents. These consequences can be severe, putting co-workers, customers, and the organization at risk. In addition, The National Safety Council reports that overdose accounts for an alarming rate of nearly 10% of all workplace fatalities in the U.S. Many of these incidents were preventable with awareness, support systems, and policies in place.  

What is a Drug-Free Workplace Program? 

A drug-free workplace program is a structured policy established by an employer to prevent drug and alcohol use in the workplace or on the job. The need for these programs is more urgent than ever. Recent studies report that workplace fatalities from drug overdoses have increased by 600% over time and workers with substance use disorders are absent from work more frequently than peers due to associated illness and injury. Developing a drug-free workplace policy sets clear expectations for workers, promotes a substance-free environment, and fosters a culture of safety and accountability. 

The benefits for businesses and employees 

A drug-free workplace program provides clear benefits for everyone. For employees, it helps create a safe and healthy work environment. Such programs can also connect individuals to local resources for treatment or support. For Hawai‘i employers, programs can help reduce workplace injuries, lower workers’ compensation costs, and minimize employee downtime. They also support compliance with State and Federal regulations.  

Establishing a Drug-Free Workplace Program 

Whether you are developing a program for the first time or are looking to improve your current program, these questions will help you ensure you have the components for success:   

• Do you have a written policy that defines what is prohibited, outlines testing procedures, and describes the consequences of violations? 
  
  
• Do you offer employee education and training on the dangers and long-term effects of substance abuse?  
  
  
• Does your pre-employment, random, post-accident, and reasonable suspicion testing comply with legal standards? 
  
  
• Do you provide access to employee assistance programs (EAPs), counseling, or referral services for employees seeking help?  

About HEMIC Safety & Risk Management 

As a mutual insurance company, HEMIC’s mission is built on partnership. Our Safety & Risk Management Team is available to all policyholders as a benefit. We can assist with developing return-to-work programs, written safety programs, on-site inspections, training needs, and more.  

If you are a HEMIC policyholder that does not have a formal Drug-Free Workplace program, HEMIC’s Safety & Risk Management consultants can assist you with developing a customized plan for your workforce. You can also access the HEMIC Safety Suite for more information on this topic.  

Contact HEMIC Safety & Risk Management at safety@hemic.com or (808) 524-3642.  

Learn more about HEMIC’s Workers’ Compensation offerings.