Workplace safety: The Importance of understanding Site-Specific Alcohol Policies

The subject of this week’s technical article was prompted by a BALI member, who contacted the Association regarding an incident that resulted in one of their employees being asked to leave the site on which they were working. 

All operatives on the construction site on which the employee was working were subjected to a random drug and alcohol test.  The result of the test indicated the employee was significantly below the UK drink-drive alcohol limit but above the site-specific alcohol limit.  As a result of the test, the employee was asked to leave the site. 

Drink driving has increasingly become a social taboo in the UK.  Since the 1970s, when alcohol accounted for over annual 1000 fatal road collisions in the UK, this figure has now fallen to around 220. Few would attempt to drive a car on the road whilst over the legal alcohol limit, but may not realise the implications of working within the confines of stricter site-specific limits.

The most important message to be taken from this article is that there is no legal limit for alcohol levels in the landscape industry – regardless of job role. Whilst The 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act states employers have a duty to ensure the health, safety and welfare of employees in relation to alcohol at work, there is no direct legislation in the UK which requires a company to implement alcohol policies in the workplace.  The management of any company may set its own limit, which is enforceable according to the site or job role.  This limit may be detailed during a site or company induction, but it’s worth seeking clarification if it isn’t. 

It is this potential risk of injury that has led many employers, and particularly site managers, to adopt a zero-tolerance approach (i.e. zero alcohol in the system of an individual) to alcohol. 

Even at blood alcohol concentrations lower than the legal driving limit, research has shown alcohol can reduce physical coordination and reaction speeds, and on a construction site, there is a clear potential risk of injury to operatives and third parties if these abilities are impaired.

Employees have responsibilities under The Health and Safety at Work Act to take reasonable care of themselves and others, but it is essential employees and site managers make employees aware of the risks, and the limits enforced.