Improving Mine Safety and Health through Substance Abuse Prevention

and Education

Keeping America’s Mines Alcohol and Drug

Free

• 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

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

An MSHA 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

A Mine Operator and Miner Concern

• 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

“Keeping America’s Mines Drug and Alcohol Free” Campaign

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

What it Means to be a Drug-Free

Workplace

• Policy and procedures

• Employee awareness and education

• Supervisor training

• Employee assistance program

• Drug testing

Five-Step Approach to a Drug-Free Workplace

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

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

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

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

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

Drug Testing

• Provides concrete evidence for intervention and/or disciplinary action

• Policies must clearly indicate:Who will be testedWhen tests will be conductedWhich drugs will be tested forHow tests will be conductedConsequences of positive tests

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

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

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

www.dol.gov/workingpartners

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