NEWSFLASH
59% OF CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY CONCERNED ABOUT EFFECTS OF DRUGS AND ALCOHOL, NEW
SURVEY REVEALS A recent survey from the Considerate Constructors Scheme has found that over half of the construction industry is concerned about the impact drugs and alcohol are having on the workforce.
The Considerate Constructors Scheme has launched their 'Spotlight on... drugs and alcohol’ campaign to raise awareness, as
PUBLIC HEALTH ENGLAND PUBLISH GUIDANCE ON WORKPLACE
VAPING POLICY Public Health England has published guidance advising businesses and employers how to establish their own policies on the use of e-cigarettes.
With 2.8 million e-cigarette users in the UK PHE have issued the advice because of the ‘need for appropriate policies in public places and workplaces.’
Professor Kevin Fenton, National Director of Health and Wellbeing at Public Health England said: “The evidence is clear that vaping is much less harmful than smoking and that e-cigarettes are helping many smokers to quit.
“This new framework will encourage organisations to consider both the benefits and the risks when developing their own policies on e-cigarettes.
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well as protect and safeguard the UK construction workforce in relation to drugs and alcohol.
The survey, which involved over 1300 respondents, found that 65% have never been tested for drugs and alcohol, whilst 35% reported noticing their colleagues under the influence of drugs and alcohol.
39% felt the issue of drugs or alcohol could be better tackled in their workplace.
Almost a quarter of respondents said that drugs and alcohol affected them at work though tiredness, decreased attention and reduced productivity.
Speaking about the survey, Edward Hardy, Chief Executive of the Considerate Constructors Scheme said: “Maintaining a safe working environment is of the utmost importance for any employer; this not only applies to the workforce, but also the surrounding public and anybody else who may be affected.
“Different approaches will be appropriate in different places, but policies should take account of the evidence and clearly distinguish vaping from smoking.”
PHE research published last year, E-cigarettes: An evidence, stated that in comparison to the known dangers of exposure to second-hand cigarette smoke, there is currently no evidence of harm from second-hand e-cigarette vapour and the risks are likely to be extremely low.
Royal College of Physicians research, Nicotine without smoke: Tobacco Harm, published last year also stated that there is no evidence so far that e-cigarettes are acting as a route into smoking for young people.
Public Health England’s new framework has been created to help organisations create e-cigarette policies that support smokers to quit and stay smokefree, while managing any risks.
The framework sets out five key principles for an approach based on our current knowledge of e-cigarettes including:
1. Make clear the distinction between vaping and smoking
“‘Spotlight on… drugs and alcohol’ [report] is an essential read for everyone, as the Scheme’s latest industry survey revealed 59% of respondents agree that drugs and alcohol are issues of concern. It is clear action must be taken across the industry to ensure workforce safety, health and wellbeing on sites and in companies throughout the UK.”
The CCS have praised many contractors, suppliers and clients within the industry already taking a proactive approach to this issue, including A-one+ Integrated Highways Services; Ardmore Construction Ltd; Ballymore; Bowmer & Kirkland; Interserve; Jerram Falkus; John F Hunt Demolition Ltd; John Sisk & Son Ltd; Mick George Ltd; and Mulalley & Co Ltd.
Click here to read the Scheme’s ‘Spotlight on… drugs and alcohol’.
www.ccscheme.org.uk ccsbestpractice.org.uk
2. Ensure policies are informed by the evidence on health risks to bystanders
3. Identify and manage risks of uptake by children and young people
4. Support smokers to stop smoking and stay smokefree
5. Support compliance with smokefree law and policies
PHE’s guidance coincides with a national stakeholder symposium on e-cigarettes and their role in tobacco harm reduction, held jointly with Cancer Research UK.
George Butterworth, Cancer Research UK’s Tobacco Policy Manager, said: “E-cigarettes are still a relatively new product, so it’s understandable that many people and businesses may not know how to deal with them. The evidence so far shows e-cigarettes are much safer than tobacco and they have the potential to help people give up a deadly addiction. It’s important the benefit of using them are maximised while reducing any negative impact, and organisations need independent advice from Public Health England to set out their own policies.”
www.tomorrowshs.com
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