Timber iQ February - March 2018 // Issue: 36 | Page 52

FEATURES
Continued from page 49
WAY FORWARD
Although the use or abuse of substances either at work or
before can’t completely be prevented. Responsible
incidents a month. Within two months of testing it went
down to between two and three each month,” he explains.
Substance testing through a breathalyser or screening
test are some of the ways that are available to reduce
incidences. Prevention of occurrences can happen through
workplace programmes, sharing live videos and educating
workers. “Intoxicated employees work around other people
in an already high-risk environment, which increases the
risk,” says Evans.
The Employment Equity Act details how medical testing
applies in the workplace. Mainly detailing conditions that
are prohibited against the employee. A 2010 report
compiled by accounting firm, Deloitte, Drug Testing Africa,
The Careways Group and PathCare, titled Substance Abuse in
the Workplace and the Law, states, ‘The South African courts
have found that the prevention of alcohol abuse at work is a
management responsibility and that it is the employer
who should ensure that employees may not commence
with work if drunk. This would also apply to employees
under the influence of drugs or other potentially
harmful substances’.
Alcohol and drug abuse in the workplace is a problem that many
employees face.
behaviour can be taught to employers and employees
through open communication and external measures being
undertaken, like drug testing. Company rules and policies
need to be clear, as well as the consequences not adhering
to them. Reasons behind drinking on the job may be
external to employers but it is an aspect that needs to be
well monitored to avert crises that may lead to accidents,
deaths or the company being closed down.
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