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Posted By drinkwise
With 24 hour licensing just 2 days away, there has been a lot in the press
lately about the health and business costs of excessive drinking (e.g. absenteeism,
performance issues, legal and reputational risks, safety) .
I would be interested to hear your views as OSH professionals. Are companies
doing enough to equip their workforce with the skills and knowledge to drink
responsibly ? Any thoughts about how it might be improved ?
Thanks.
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Posted By Debbie S
I work for a transport company and we have just issued the seasonal letter and posters relating to Alcohol and also as important drugs (especially as the you get certain idiots spiking unattended drinks in pubs and clubs)
I got some good posters from the Think Safety website. Lots of information to look at.
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Posted By drinkwise
Thanks Debbie.
I can't see a way to edit my original post, but I probably should declare a
personal interest.
I am just starting some work in this area. My background is in the drinks
industry rather than in OSH so I am really hoping to pick your brains to
find out how important this issue is to you & what you think of the measures
that are being taken already.
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Posted By Raymond Rapp
Drinkwise
Your question appears to highlight two different issues. First, a social problem relating to the unrestricted access of alcohol and the effects on society in general. The second, how are companies managing and monitoring alcohol consumption during working hours or if the work involves transport or 'safety critical' work. The latter could be an illegal act.
The first point and I suspect the intention of your original posting, is a difficult one to assess. On the one hand current licensing hours do encourage 'binge drinking' and the notion that people will drink more with longer/later hours is debatable. I suggest there is no evidence from other countries whose licensing laws are less strict, and the depth of people's pockets is most likely equilibrium.
Regards
Ray
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Posted By John Webster
Me thinks government, him speaks with forked tongue!
Two of the biggest health issues we face are smoking and alcohol abuse.
Smokers are soon to be banned from anywhere publicly accessible with a roof and walls which enclose more than 50% of the roof boundary - so even bus shelters and football stadia are out.
But we can now souse our livers 24/7 in the smoke free, healthy environment which will prevail.
Not only does drunkenness seem to have increased as licencing laws have been liberalised, the ability of the police to deal with alcohol fueled crime has diminished as the drunken yobs can now take to the streets at any time of day or night.
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Posted By drinkwise
Thanks Ray.
I wasn't really intending a discussion about the pros and cons or
consequences of changes to the licensing laws or about the social impact of
drinking generally.
I am interested in the impact on businesses specifically. There is a fair
amount research to suggest that the impact on the bottom line can go well
beyond safety / legal implications :
e.g.
Absenteeism, caused by binge drinking and/or alcohol-related health problems
Performance, e.g. people not at their best due to hangovers
Reputation, e.g. boozy team-building events, harrassment claims..
Just want to get a feel for to what extent these issues are on the radar for
OSH professionals.
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Posted By Raymond Rapp
Ahh... now I know where you are coming from. Many companies have a drinking policy which normally forbids drinking during office hours (except for Directors) unless of course, it is an approved social function etc.
Oherwise, most larger employers have occupational health surveillance, which may include medical health checks that could detect symptoms such as excessive alcohol or drugs consumption.
One of my previous employers also instigated randon testing of employees working in a safety critical environment. The primary driver - the Transport and Works Act 1992, stipulates it is a criminal offence to work under the influence of alcohol or words to that effect, operatos must show 'due diligence', which may or may not include D&A testing, with or without cause.
So, there are both legal and moral arguments. I suspect the legal arguments are more compelling.
Ray
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