Drug-Free Workforce
Building a safer workforce and jobsite
The Columbus/Central Ohio Building and Construction Trades Council and signatory contractors require our members to be able to work in a drug-free workplace.
The National Drug-Free Alliance estimates U.S. companies collectively lose billions of dollars each year due to alcohol and drug abuse and related issues.
Benefits of a drug-free workforce
Improved safety
A drug-free workforce is a safe workforce, which also creates a safe jobsite.
The union construction industry is proud of its safety record.
While our commitment to safety is rooted in industry-leading OSHA training, it also extends to our policy of providing our signatory contractors with a drug-free workforce. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), employers with successful drug-free workplace programs:
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- Report improvements in morale and productivity and decreases in absenteeism, accidents, downtime, turnover and theft
- Reduced drug use, which leads to a lower risk of accidents and injuries, higher levels of productivity and employee morale.
Lower costs
By providing our union contractors with a workforce of skilled journeymen and apprentices who are substance-tested, we can help reduce costs and help signatory contractors increase their bottom line.
Our union-affiliated construction workers are required to undergo random and yearly substance testing, in addition to testing post-accident, for cause and reasonable suspicion, and return to work.
Studies have shown that a drug-free workplace helps contractors lower workers’ compensation costs by leading to fewer workplace accidents. Furthermore, fewer accidents mean less downtime on the jobsite and help lower medical costs. A drug-free workforce also results in less workplace violence and a major reduction in thefts, as substance users are responsible for up to 80 percent of all thefts on the jobsite, including tools and materials.
Substance users have been found to be 50 percent less productive and their absenteeism and tardiness rate is three times more than non-users. A drug-free workplace produces higher morale, which helps our members produce quality work and get the job done on time.
Simply put, a drug-free workplace produces higher production and, therefore, a better bottom line for contractors and project owners.