| That said the same amount of effort needs to be | | | | A European week for consideration |
| made to ensure that the workers are safe whether | | | | The European's are also drawing attention to the |
| there are 5 or 50 workers, dangerous equipment or | | | | work environment and are also spending this week |
| knitting needles. By putting in the effort prior to a | | | | on improving work place safety and health. |
| work accident you go a fair distance to protecting | | | | Businesses have been reminded that this year's |
| yourself as an employer and the investment you | | | | theme is 'risk assessment' and that prevention is still |
| have made in your employees. | | | | better than cure. It had been proven on numerous |
| An American week for consideration | | | | occasions across the world that by assessing the |
| The United States Department of Labour has | | | | risks and preparing for them is pivotal in keeping the |
| dedicated this week to promoting drug awareness | | | | number of work accidents down. Risk assessments |
| and the importance of being drug free at work. The | | | | are a legal requirement and usually employ a five step |
| campaign not only highlights the importance of being | | | | process. |
| drug free at work but also tries to provide individuals | | | | The first step involves identifying what the hazards |
| with the opportunity to seek help with any drug or | | | | are and the individuals those that are at potential risk. |
| alcohol related problems they may be having. The | | | | In this step it is also important to prioritise your risks |
| Drug free work week is the brain child of the | | | | as you think up the measures that need to be taken |
| Department of Labour who make use of cooperative | | | | to prevent certain risks coming to fruition. It is not |
| agreements to focus on improving safety and health | | | | only important to talk and discuss what the risks are |
| in the construction industry. | | | | but to actually take the very steps outlined during |
| This is done via a variety of workplace programs | | | | the 'prevention' planning stages. After taking the |
| that look at drug abuse prevention and the positive | | | | action needed to implement the plans, organisations |
| impact abstinence has on workplace safety as well as | | | | can now monitor and review its capabilities as a |
| the negative implications of drug abuse. According to | | | | preventative measure. |
| the researchers at the Buffalo's Research Institute | | | | Is it helping, has it highlighted new problem areas, |
| on Addictions, there were an estimated 17.7 million | | | | what more can be done? These are the questions |
| working adults using illicit drugs in 2007. Even more | | | | that should be asked during the review sessions and |
| worrying is the 3.9 million that do so before they | | | | by continually going through them, employers ensure |
| report to work or during work hours. The drug free | | | | they are remaining current with their business. Any |
| work week will help employers, supervisors and | | | | concerns are rectified swiftly and unnecessary |
| workers understand how to implement an effective, | | | | accidents are prevented as well as the lawsuits that |
| drug-free program that focuses on detection and | | | | could potentially come with any mishaps. |
| deterrence. | | | | |