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 Drug Free Workplace Substance Abuse Awareness Builds Profitability in the Construction Industry |
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Drug Free Workplace Substance Abuse Awareness Builds Profitability in the Construction Industry |
- The construction industry consists primarily of small businesses. Unfortunately, small companies are particularly vulnerable to workers who abuse alcohol and other drugs. A recent government survey indicated that 71 percent of illegal drug users are employed;1 60 percent are with companies that employ 500 or fewer workers.2
- Small businesses may be particularly vulnerable to problems of drug abuse among their employees because drug abusers will seek work at smaller firms where the likelihood of drug testing is slim.3
- The construction industry traditionally draws heavily from the pool of 18- to 34-year-old job seekers, a segment of the American population that is at the heart of a nationwide increase in illegal drug use. Among young adults age 18-20, 18 percent are current illicit drug users; 12 percent of those age 21- 25 and 8 percent of those age 26-34 are also current drug users.4
- The future work force is also at risk for alcohol and other drug abuse. Substance abuse among Am>
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rming rate—up 33 percent in the past year; up 78 percent in the past three years.5
- The construction industry has one of the highest rates of substance abuse among full-time workers between the ages of 18 and 49.6
Current Use of Illegal Drugs
(%)Current Use of Heavy Alcohol
(%)Other Construction Workers 17.3 20.6 Construction Supervisor 17.2 ---- Construction Laborers 12.8 19.9
- Nearly 12 percent of full-time construction workers report illicit drug use in the past 30 days. Almost 22 percent indicate they have used illegal drugs sometime during the past year, and approximately 14 percent admit to heavy alcohol use.7
- Substance abusers do not make good employees. A study conducted by the U.S. Postal Service of workers who had tested positive in pre-employment tests, but were hired anyway, revealed the following:
- almost 60 percent were more likely to be heavy users of leave; and
- by the 33rd month, those testing positive were absent about 66 percent more often than those who had tested negative.8
- nearly 70 percent were involuntarily discharged in less than two-and-a-half years;
- Many construction companies have become active in the alcohol and other drug issue. According to the National Association of Plumbing, Heating, and Cooling Contractors, 66 percent of surveyed members said they have a formal company substance abuse policy, and more were considering adopting policies because of the costs associated with substance abuse.
- The American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) offers its members a variety of substance abuse prevention services through an outside, independent contractor. Services include customized program development, drug and alcohol testing, and assistance complying with the drug and alcohol regulations issued by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
- The American Subcontractors Association (ASA) offers educational materials specifically designed to help members deal more effectively with the problems of drugs at work. The Associated General Contractors (AGC) has also produced an informational video about the DOT regulations and offers other training assistance.
- From large international corporations to relatively small local contractors, construction companies are implementing and maintaining programs to ensure that their work forces are productive, their workplaces are safe, and the success of their businesses is not hindered by substance abuse.
Available from Working Partners are sample case studies of construction companies that have effectively addressed workplace substance abuse.
Company Success Stories
Strict Conduct Policy Results in Lowest Loss Ratio for Mad Dog Construction Company
Paving Company Saves $60,000 Annually by Investing in Employees
Endnotes:
11995 National Household Survey on Drug Abuse, U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 1996.
2 Drug Strategies, Washington, D.C., 1996.
3Mangan, D. "An Rx for Drug Abuse." Small Business Reports 17, no. 5 (May 1993):1,32.
41995 National Household Survey, 1996.
5 Ibid.
6"Drug Use Among U.S. Workers: Prevalence and Trends By Occupation and Industry Categories," U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, 1996.
7Ibid.
8"An Empirical Evaluation of Pre-Employment Drug Testing in the United States Postal Service: Interim Report on Findings," Drugs in the Workplace: Research and Evaluation Data. National Institute on Drug Abuse, 1989.
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