04 August
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Did you know ? A high blood alcohol level increases the risk of having a serious accident by 50%.
Work in a company and the consumption of psychoactive substances (alcohol, drugs, medication) have never gone hand in hand. These substances only aggravate already numerous and sometimes fatal risks.
Alcohol, drugs and medication: so many threats to you and your business
No need to remind you that French law prohibits the production, possession, sale, purchase and use of narcotics. However, some products such as alcohol or drugs are perfectly legal, but are not without risks. Even more when consumed at work.
Thus, it is totally forbidden to consume alcohol in your workplace, in the same way as narcotics. With regard to drugs, it is essential to check their level of impact and side effects on the body before taking any. Don't forget to ask your doctor for advice on the compatibility of the medication with your work.
The figures are alarming. Indeed, according to the Interministerial Mission for the Fight against Drugs and Addictive Behaviors (MILDECA), consuming 2 glasses every day for a woman and 4 glasses for a man doubles the risk of a serious work accident. Having a heavy alcohol intake at least once a week increases this risk by 50%! However, 5 million people drink daily according to the French Observatory of Drugs and Drug Addiction, the OFDT. The National Institute for Prevention and Health Education (INPES) has also detailed the most affected sectors of activity: agriculture and construction. The MILDECA also notes that women in stressful jobs in contact with the public have a twice as high risk of alcohol dependence.
Everyone is affected, not just the employee who takes substances: repeated delays, sudden work stoppages, quality of tasks and degraded working relationships... The company also records an increase in production incidents, resulting in a decrease in productivity with work disorganization, increased workload for other employees, etc.
Addictions have become one of the main concerns of companies today, and it is quite logical when we know that the employer is obliged to ensure and protect the physical and mental safety of its workers. In case of breach, he can be prosecuted for inexcusable fault.
The consumption of alcohol, medication and drugs puts employees at risk. Modification of reasoning abilities, drop in reflexes, reduced field of vision, malaise, personal injury, injury of a colleague… these are the consequences of the consumption of psychoactive substances in your workplace and they can be dramatic.
Addictive products: priority to prevention!
Prohibiting the consumption of these products must be integrated into the prevention policy of companies, because repression alone is not enough. The occupational physician plays a key role, it is he who will question employees during medical visits and possibly identify risky attitudes. It also has the role of supporting companies in prevention approaches and the implementation of an action plan. Since 2019, the employer has been authorized to carry out saliva screening tests within his company.
If you notice that a colleague is not able to work following excessive consumption of alcohol or drugs, intervene as soon as possible by providing assistance! Know that in the eyes of the law, you are as responsible for your health and safety as that of your colleagues.
For your part, as a temporary worker, you must also act to protect yourself and your colleagues. Even if the process may seem difficult, if you are dependent on alcohol or a drug, don't stay locked up and dare to raise the subject with those around you before it's too late. The attending physician is a very good interlocutor to talk about it and to guide you, free solutions and support are possible. Recognizing the problem is already starting to solve it.
The Court of Cassation has already justified dismissals on the grounds of alcoholism, and it has also condemned colleagues of drunken employees for failure to assist a person in danger!
For Abalone, your health and safety are priorities, fighting risks and accidents at work so that you can carry out your missions in good safety conditions is essential. In order to make you aware and to alert your user companies to the dangers of alcohol or drugs, we work with our customers to present the Drug & Alcohol Prevention Kit. With glasses on your eyes, you will have to complete an obstacle course with the vision and balance of a person who has consumed alcohol or drugs. And it's harder than it looks!
Some useful links:
- Evaluate your alcohol consumption: http://alcool-info-service.fr
- You want to quit smoking: http://www.tabac-info-service.fr
- For more information : https://www.drogues-info-service.fr