Sunday, January 23, 2011

Psychology: Substance abuse raises safety concerns

Psychology: Substance abuse raises safety concerns

Psychology: Substance abuse raises safety concerns

Posted: 23 Jan 2011 04:55 AM PST

Q: I own a manufacturing company that has 150 employees. Safety is a big issue because we use equipment that can cause serious accidents if not carefully handled.

Because substance abuse can contribute to accidents, my supervisors have asked me for guidance on how to recognize the signs of employees who are abusing alcohol or other drugs. Can you give me guidance in this area?

— A reader in Minnesota

A: Individuals with a substance-abuse problem often display problems and behaviors that might include:

• Increased risk of accidents: Impaired reaction time and judgment, disregard for safety procedures, diminished concern for the safety of oneself or others.

• Absenteeism: Unexcused absences, improbable excuses for absences, excessive tardiness and lengthy absences for minor illnesses.

• Sporadic work patterns: Changes in productivity or quality of work, working overtime to finish assignments that could have been completed during regular work time.

• Problems with co-workers or supervisors: Overreaction to criticism, mood swings, irritability and avoidance of co-workers or supervisors.

• Confusion and/or problems with concentration: Difficulty in recalling instructions, making mistakes through inattention or poor judgment, inability to correct one's own mistakes, difficulty in attending to necessary details, making frequent errors, forgetting how to perform routine tasks and procedures.

• A deterioration in grooming: The smell of alcohol and/or attempts to mask the smell of alcohol on one's breath with mints and such.

These problems can be a result of conditions other than alcohol or drug abuse. A supervisor or human-relations worker might need to refer problem employees to someone trained in substance-abuse evaluation.

Hap LeCrone, a Cox News Service columnist, is a clinical psychologist. Write him at 4555 Lake Shore Dr., Waco, TX 76710; or send e-mail.

hlecrone@aol.com

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