New guide from RoSPA and Draeger Safety UK highlights the risk of drink and drug misuse in the workplace…

One in three UK workers have admitted to or witnessed substance use or addictive behaviours during working hours – posing a serious risk not only to themselves and their colleagues but also to the public. That’s one of the stark findings in a new guide for employers on managing drink and drug misuse in the workplace, released by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) in partnership with Draeger Safety UK.

The Best Practice Guide for Managing Drink and Drug Misuse in the Workplace highlights how drugs, alcohol, and even prescription medications can impair judgement, slow reaction times, and reduce hazard perception.

This type of impairment has significant implications where employees are undertaking safety critical roles, such as the operation of heavy machinery, or when driving heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) or commercial vehicles for work, where a single lapse can lead to catastrophic consequences, often affecting others.

Furthermore, simply driving to and from a meeting, especially if driving colleagues, is a workplace safety issue, and one which is coming under increasing focus, given the wider growing issue of drug-driving.

Substance misuse is more prevalent than many employers realise. Forty per cent of industrial accidents are linked to substance abuse. There is also a heavy economic toll, with workplace hangovers alone costing the UK economy up to £1.4 billion annually, and overall productivity losses from impairment exceeding £7 billion.

Dräger’s own research shows strong support for workplace testing: 83 per cent of workers say they would comply with corporate drug and alcohol policies, and 71 per cent support testing for all employees. The best practice guide recommends a combination of education, consent-based testing, and rehabilitation support. It also outlines modern technologies for screening and testing, such as saliva and breath testing, as well as alcohol interlock systems, which, once installed in a vehicle, require a negative breath test to allow the engine to start.

Mark Burrup, Drug and Alcohol Testing Expert at Draeger Safety UK, said:

“Today’s testing technologies are highly advanced and designed to be discreet and non-invasive, typically involving a quick saliva swab and/or a single breath sample into a breathalyser to indicate whether an employee has taken drugs or alcohol.

“In our experience, drug and alcohol testing programmes are well-received by employees as they understand that these measures play a vital role in maintaining a safe and responsible working environment for everyone.”

Caitlin Taylor, Road Safety Manager at RoSPA, said: 

“Driving under the influence – whether from alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication – is a live safety threat. Businesses have a duty to prevent harm, not just to employees but to every road user. We’re calling for a cultural shift in how UK workplaces manage impairment. With lives at stake, proactive policies and testing are essential to safeguarding both workers and the public.”

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