Your EAP's Role in Workplace Safety

by Holly Socolow, hsocolow@lifemanagement.cc

 

 

“Workplace safety” encompasses many different factors that can affect the safety and health of employees. It can include how your organization manages environmental hazards, working conditions, work processes, drug and alcohol issues, and potential for violence.


Your entire organization benefits by regularly assessing safety records and goals – not only because of Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, but also because safety directly affects employee health and well-being, and your company’s bottom line. Your attention to workplace safety ultimately impacts profits through employee morale and retention, productivity, worker’s compensation claims, insurance rates and legal costs.

 

Since September is Substance Abuse Awareness Month, consider the following:

  • Over 14 million Americans use illegal drugs.
  • 9.4 million illicit drug-users are employed full-time.
  • Over 10.1 million heavy alcohol users are employed full-time.
  • As workers, they are 3.6 times more likely to be involved in an accident at work.
  • They are 5 times more likely to file for worker’s compensation benefits than non-users.
  • 40 percent of the time a substance user causes an accident, a coworker is injured.
  • 47 percent of industrial injuries and 40 percent of industrial deaths are directly linked to alcohol consumption – a legal drug.
    Sources:      Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Performance and Behavior Issues Associated with Substance Abuse:

  • Inconsistent work quality
  • Poor concentration
  • Lowered productivity
  • Increased absenteeism
  • Carelessness and mistakes
  • Errors in judgment
  • Needless risk-taking and disregard for safety
  • Extended lunch periods/early departures
  • Unexplained disappearances from the job
  • Theft

These issues negatively affect job performance, overall company productivity and profits – and more so if problems are widespread, prolonged or not addressed by management. Unaddressed performance and conduct concerns can result in liability for the entire organization.


Getting Your EAP Involved in Safety
Your Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is an integral part of any workplace safety process.
Early intervention with a clear Performance Improvement Plan, coupled with a referral to LMA EAP often result in an improved prognosis for the employee. Retention of valued employees makes business sense for the organization. The EAP, working with the employee and the employer, can facilitate a return to normal levels of productivity.


Provide regular training programs on your substance abuse policy. Your EAP can assist with educational programs and encourage concerned employees to seek treatment for themselves or a family member. Your EAP provides confidentiality for employees who voluntarily seek help for drug/alcohol abuse, before performance or conduct becomes a more visible problem at work.


Non-Substance Safety Concerns
Of course, your EAP can assist with non-substance issues which may also be affecting safety in the workplace. Your employee may be distracted due to home, financial or medical stressors. Your EAP can help this employee manage the stressors, so that he/she can return to normal attention patterns, therefore reducing the safety risks associated with a lack of focus while at work.


Don’t Wait for a Crisis
Practice prevention and remind your employees frequently about LMA EAP for themselves and their loved ones. LMA offers individual counseling and many wellness programs to support employee and family well-being, which are available both off-site and on-site.
If you are concerned about an employee’s behavior, call to schedule a management consultation with your EAP professional.

Holly Socolow, MHS, is Manager of Employee Assistance Services. Contact Holly at 717.394.6688 or via email hsocolow@lifemanagement.cc

With you every step of the way.

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