Dräger will be offering an insight into the problem of drug and alcohol impairment at work at this year’s Safety and Health Expo.

During the event, Mark Burrup, drug and alcohol testing specialist at Dräger, will give a seminar on the topical issue of drug and alcohol policy in the workplace which is a growing area for many businesses.

Titled ‘Drug and Alcohol Impairment at Work – Changes in Legislation and Technology’, Burrup’s presentation will look at the business impact of drug and alcohol misuse at work as well as exploring the costs, financial and otherwise, of this misuse.

Changes to legislation and the evolution of technology in this field will also be touched upon making the seminar, on Thursday June 19 at 11am at the SHP Arena, a must for both policymakers and practitioners wishing to combat the problem of drug and alcohol misuse at work.

Burrup, regional focus group manager diagnostics at Dräger, said: “The new drug driving laws expected to come into force later this year will have an impact on many businesses across the UK, particularly those whose staff use a vehicle for work-related activities, run a company car fleet or have a pool car.”

“The law will make drug driving an offence and will allow police officers to perform a saliva-based drug test if they suspect a person’s driving has been influenced by drugs. If convicted, the offence could result in a driving ban, fine or even imprisonment.”

“This, combined with the dangers of drink-driving, is a cause for concern for businesses and, judging by the number of increased enquiries Dräger is receiving about workplace drug and alcohol testing, the legislation is clearly already focusing the thoughts of employers.”

“Since a vehicle used for company business is considered to be a place of work, employers must ensure the health and safety of employees even when driving, as well as ensuring others are not put at risk by their employees work related driving activities.”

 

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