Keeping America’s Mines Drug-Free: Promoting Workplace Safety Through Substance Abuse Prevention

1. Keeping America’s Mines Alcohol and Drug Free Improving Mine Safety and Health through Substance Abuse Prevention and Education

2. An MSHA Concern • Three out of four drug and alcohol abusers work • The industries with the highest rates of substance abuse are construction and mining • Many communities where substance abuse is a significant problem are the same communities where mining is the predominant industry

3. An MSHA Concern • Substance abuse contributes to unsafe and unhealthy work environments: • Increased risk of injuries or death • 19% positive rate for post-mortem toxic screens on workplace deaths • Increased workplace violence • Impaired decision-making

4. A Mine Operator and Miner Concern • Substance abuse leads to decreased employee productivity and morale and increased health benefits utilization • Miners who abuse alcohol and drugs jeopardize their safety and other’s safety • It’s not only alcoholics and drug addicts who can cause problems: • Miners may come to work with blood alcohol levels from earlier drinking • Miners may come to work under the influence of prescription drugs

5. “Keeping America’s Mines Drug and Alcohol Free” Campaign • Educates the mining community about the dangers of drug and alcohol use and abuse in the nation’s mines • Draws upon resources from DOL’s ongoing Working Partners program • Includes alcohol as well as illicit drugs • Encourages collaborative, community-based strategies for addressing issue • Promotes five-step approach that includes support for workers with alcohol and drug problems

6. What it Means to be a Drug-Free Workplace A work environment where: • All employees understand that illicit use of drugs and abuse of alcohol while working is not acceptable; and • Policies and programs discourage alcohol or other drug abuse and facilitate treatment and recovery

7. Five-Step Approach to a Drug-Free Workplace • Policy and procedures • Employee awareness and education • Supervisor training • Employee assistance program • Drug testing

8. Policy and Procedures • Serves as the foundation of a drug-free workplace • Must be shared and understood by all • Effective policies include: • Rationale • Prohibited behaviors • Consequences for violations • Consistency and fairness are key

9. Employee Awareness and Education • Clearly communicates policy • Informs about dangers of drug abuse • Identifies signs of drug abuse and effects on job performance • Describes when and how to approach family members and/or co-workers • Educates about availability of treatment or other help

10. Supervisor Training Should ensure that foreman know: • How to identify signs of substance abuse and its effects on job performance • Their role in enforcing the policy • Recognize, document, confront • Refer to available assistance or for drug testing • Follow up and monitor job performance • That they are not expected to diagnose or provide counseling

11. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) • Workplace-based services to help employees resolve personal problems that may affect job performance • Provides assessment, brief counseling, referral to help, and follow-up support • Confidential • Free to employees • Often available to family members • Consultation and training available for management and workers

12. Other Forms of Assistance for Miners • Community hotlines • Self-help groups (e.g., AA) • Community mental health centers • Private therapists or counselors • Addiction treatment centers

13. Drug Testing • Provides concrete evidence for intervention and/or disciplinary action • Policies must clearly indicate: • Who will be tested • When tests will be conducted • Which drugs will be tested for • How tests will be conducted • Consequences of positive tests

14. Considerations • A drug-free workplace means more than drug testing • No specific Federal law governs most private sector programs • Local and state laws may apply • Several states have laws and offer workers’ compensation discounts for DFWP programs • Subject of mandatory collective bargaining

15. Strategies for Small Mines • Form consortia to pool resources to purchase drug testing and EAP services • Start with only one or two steps • Use training resources available from DOL’s Working Partners program • Establish relationships with local anti-drug coalitions for prevention education • Reach out to local substance abuse treatment providers in order to provide appropriate referrals

16. Resources for Mine Operators • DOL’s Working Partners for an Alcohol- and Drug-Free Workplace – www.dol.gov/workingpartners • Online tools to assist in developing a policy and training and education • Information about state and local resources and state laws • Listing of helplines for employees • Employee Assistance Professionals Association (EAPA) – www.eapassn.org • Drug and Alcohol Testing Industry Association (DATIA) – www.datia.org

17. www.dol.gov/workingpartners

25. Benefits of a Drug-Free Workplace • Higher quality applicants • Improved community image • Fewer accidents and injuries • Better overall job performance • Improved employee morale • Reduced medical and insurance costs • Reduced liability